SLOWLY but surely, Tony Sullivan is transforming Witton’s fortunes.

Following a fourth win from their past seven matches, he insisted again there is work to do if Albion are to avoid relegation.

He is right, but the manner in which his team knocked over Nantwich is the surest sign yet of progress on the pitch - more so considering his first seven league games in charge ended in a loss.

They scored only three goals in that sequence too.

Witton are incisive when they attack now, likely – not simply hopeful – scorers when they go forward.

Jamie Rainford’s brace increases his tally to five in December alone, a month on course to be Albion’s best of the season if they avoid defeat against Rushall on Sunday.

The striker, without a club before arriving at Wincham Park in October, finished brilliantly on both occasions.

It feels churlish to suggest he might have doubled his personal haul during a contest the hosts dominated from the moment Danny Andrews blasted in the opening goal.

Invited to dribble at Andy White by Luke Clark’s pass swept from left to right, he danced inside the Dabbers’ full back before shooting low inside Terry Smith’s near post.

Nantwich had begun buoyed by their longest unbeaten sequence of the season.

That two of those three games ended in draws hinted that a frailty from losing eight of their previous nine in the Premier Division could be exposed.

And so it proved.

They rallied, if only briefly, after going behind.

Aaron Burns’ attempt was off target after reaching Max Harrop’s pass, while skipper Mark Jones shot feebly after side-stepping neatly into space on the edge of the penalty area.

At the other end, debutant Liam Gibson’s effort lacked the power to worry Smith.

The Dabbers’ custodian was swift from his line shortly afterwards though to smother Rainford’s low drive when the front man latched onto Andy Robertson’s punt forward.

He then undid that good work by skewing a clearance straight to the front man seconds later, only this time to be left with no chance by a smart finish.

Harrop drilled narrowly over at the start of the second period while Clark, from a free kick, did the same for Witton.

The midfielder conjured Albion’s third goal, intercepting Mat Bailey’s poorly-aimed pass before sending Rainford clear.

With time to consider his next move, the ex-Marine man went for a cute lob that left Smith on the seat of his shorts.

Iain Howard’s header bounced onto the bar from Steve Jones’ cross, while Clark’s thunderous drive rattled the woodwork when Albion responded.

Rainford curved his next shot against the crossbar before shooting straight at Smith at the end of a counter.

Substitute Joe Shaw was thwarted by the Nantwich shot-stopper when he too tried to lift the ball over him.

By then, Witton had already risen from the relegation zone.

They will start 2015 outside of the bottom four as well if, as expected, the weather wipes out Sunday’s programme.

Witton (3-5-2) Robertson (GK), Barnes, Gibson, John Shaw, Gardner, Clark (Joe Shaw 65), Corbett (De La Bastide 85), Andrews (Titchiner 87), Dawson, Henders, Rainford Sub not used Porter (GK) Goals Andrews 12, Rainford 45, 57 Booked Corbett, Barnes (both fouls)

Nantwich (4-5-1) Smith (GK), Dowling, Adam Jones, Bailey (Winslade 71), White, Steve Jones, Pearson, Mark Jones, Howard, Harrop (Kosylo 65), Burns Subs not used Clayton, Blake, Hart Booked Bailey (foul)

Referee Billy Smallwood (Northwich)

Attendance 414