WITTON Albion must avoid losing final match of the season this weekend to guarantee they won’t be relegated for the second time in six years.

For Ashton United, a second attempt at promotion via the play-offs is reward for a victory borne of an inspired half-time substitution.

It only took replacements Chris Baguley and Ben Deegan 13 minutes, the time between each of their goals, to turn around a contest the visitors edged before the break.

Tony Sullivan’s men, spirited and defiant after Saturday’s shattering defeat against Blyth Spartans, could not conjure an equaliser.

Nor did they look likely to.

Put simply, April has been awful for them; this was a fourth defeat in five league matches, a sequence in which they have scored just twice while conceding 13 times.

Yet one of those goals, a stunning strike by Danny Andrews in the second minute, looked like it might by the most important of all during the first half.

They protected it in relative comfort too.

But Ashton’s style, playing from front to back as quickly and directly as possible, creates for them chances even when they’re not playing well.

Martin Pilkington’s smart turn and shot deserved better than the ball hitting the base of an upright, while Dean Porter – recalled in place of now-departed Andy Robertson – saved smartly when Dale Johnson struck with power shortly afterwards.

The goalkeeper’s next contribution was his best, diving with courage to smother another Johnson attempt when the two came face-to-face inside the six-yard box.

Witton had chances to increase their lead; Alex Titchiner, sent clear by Luke Clark’s pass, tried to create a better angle to shoot.

By the time he had, custodian Paul Phillips had raced from his line to block.

The Ashton co-manager was prompted to parry Josh Hancock’s drive too after he pinched possession from a dithering Jack Higgins.

The Robins gambled at the break, sending on Baguley and Deegan to form a four-man attack.

It worked a treat; during a 15-minute spell, they pummelled Albion into submission.

A stroke of luck helped too.

When Ashley Young’s long throw was flicked on, Zac Corbett handled inadvertently in the penalty area.

Porter stopped Baguley’s resulting spot kick, but the substitute smashed in a loose ball after a header from the initial rebound had hit the crossbar.

There was an inevitability about Deegan’s winner, when he met Johnson’s clipped cross, on 68 minutes.

Witton, with Hancock supporting Titchiner in attack, toiled to create another opening though Tom Schofield’s introduction – after Jake Parker sustained an ankle injury – helped.

Their task now is clear; beat Stamford, currently two points adrift of Albion, and survival is assured.

A draw is also enough.

Another defeat is unthinkable.

Ashton (4-4-2) | Phillips (GK), Mason, Wilson, Higgins, Pearson, Gee, Young, Briggs (Deegan 46), Coppin (Baguley 46), Johnson, Pilkington (Harrop 85) Subs not used Rick, Hill Goals Baguley 55, Deegan 68 Booked Mason (foul)

Witton (3-5-2) | Porter (GK), Barnes, Goulding, John Shaw, Andrews, Simpson, Corbett, Clark (Joe Shaw 62), Parker (Schofield 54), Hancock, Titchiner Subs not used Swift (GK), Chrisokou Goal Andrews 2 Booked Corbett (handball)

Referee Gary Hilton

Attendance 232