WITTON Albion have worn a haunted look since their survival bid faltered spectacularly at Easter, but this display demonstrated their hopes are not yet dead.

Difficult days still beckon, with head-to-heads against play-offs hopefuls Blyth and Ashton to come, but their destiny – for now at least – remains in their control.

Tony Sullivan’s men ended the afternoon closer to the relegation zone – now two points away – than they had started, but somehow the distance felt further after they had shut out title favourites FC United of Manchester.

It’s a feat no other Premier Division team had managed in 24 previous matches.

No surprise then the Albion boss declared afterwards he felt as if his side had won.

They almost did too, only for Alex Titchiner’s shot to be diverted decisively by defender Lewis Lacy’s brilliantly-timed intervention in the last minute.

Witton could have been floored by a goal at the other end in stoppage time when Lacy, seemingly a certain scorer following an almighty scramble, blasted a goal-bound effort against a teammate.

Wincham Park’s biggest crowd in more than four years held its breath as the ball looped out of play.

From such episodes can a campaign succeed or, worse, fail.

FC United’s shows no sign of faltering despite a third draw in five matches.

Karl Marginson’s men, four points clear at the table’s summit with as many matches left, are unbeaten now in 21 league fixtures.

Even below their best, they rarely looked likely losers.

Witton, plunged into doubt by consecutive defeats, had decided to focus on defence.

They failed to score for a third successive game as a result – their longest sequence without a goal this season – but that sacrifice was worth a point.

That is not to say they posed no threat, for the best chances of a cagey first half were theirs.

Danny Andrews forced FC United goalkeeper David Carnell to adjust quickly to parry an attempt that took an unexpected bounce off a bobbly surface.

After half an hour Titchiner, left unmarked, could not guide a header on target from skipper John Shaw’s cross.

The visitors, ponderous in possession before the break, played with more gusto after it.

Craig Lindfield’s looping cross-cum-shot prompted Albion custodian Andy Robertson to tip over from their first attack.

His next save, low to his right from Lindfield’s direct free kick, was more orthodox.

In between, Shelton Payne wriggled into a shooting space only to shoot wide.

At the other end, Luke Clark’s scuffed attempt lacked the force to concern Carnell.

Witton were relieved on 69 minutes when Liam Goulding, after Robertson had failed to claim a cross, smuggled Luke Ashworth’s header off the goal-line.

The teams traded then those two late chances, but could not be separated.

Both managers, if for contrasting reasons, agreed later the result reflected what happened on the field.

Their teams, closer to their respective targets, still have work to do.

Witton (4-5-1) Robertson (GK), Goulding, Barnes, John Shaw, Dawson, Andrews, Corbett, Simpson (Schofield 84), Clark (Joe Shaw 74), Hancock, Titchiner Subs not used Porter (GK), Rainford, Parker Booked Andrews, Clark (both fouls)

FC United (4-2-3-1) Carnell (GK), Brownhill, Ashworth, Lacy, Wright, Birch (Brown 78), Byrne, Lindfield (Daniels 66), Wolfenden, Payne (Fallon 66), Greaves Subs not used Stott, Lynch

Referee David McNamara

Attendance 1,463