SUBSTITUTE Reece Pearce scored twice for Lancaster City in the second half to condemn Witton Albion to a first defeat under new manager Scott Dundas.

He hit the net within five minutes of his arrival, heading another in stoppage time to secure victory after Aaron Taylor’s goal had cancelled out Danny Andrews’ equaliser for the visitors.

Lee Cropper’s reply arrived too late to alter the outcome.  

Both teams had created opportunities in the opening period.

Albion goalkeeper Danny Roberts had already made the first of a series of saves by the time Jon Dawson’s drive was gathered by Lancaster custodian Mike Donlon.

Anthony Gardner and Chris Baker played parts in a move that ended with Andrews extending the Dolly Blues’ number one, while Alex Titchiner fired over.

Roberts was alert to thwart Matthew Poole after he ghosted clear, while Donlon parred Baker’s effort at the other end of the field.

The hosts’ net-minder smothered Darren Chadwick’s header following a set piece, then flung himself to his right to steer Andrews’ free kick to safety.

Lancaster led when Pearce, who replaced Poole at the interval, saw his shot squirm inside Roberts’ near post.

Albion equalised though when Andrews fired in after Beaumont nudged Gary Roberts’ pass into his path.

Titchiner flashed an attempt across the face of goal, while Baker fired high after swapping passes with Cropper.

The home team edged ahead on 73 minutes though, Aaron Taylor shooting past Roberts from an acute angle after reacting first when a free quick was taken quickly.

Dundas sent on Ben Mills in place of Titchiner, but Scott Lycett could not control his shot after the former Nantwich front man had flicked on Andrews’ corner.

Instead Lancaster made sure of maximum points when Pearce’s header supplied an emphatic final touch to swift counter-attack.

Cropper’s shot crept in off an upright, but it was an entertaining contest’s final kick.

Lancaster | Donlon (GK), Gregory (Antoine-Clarke 65), Hudson, Davis, Marshall, Hunter, Winder, Akrigg, Poole (Pearce 46), Taylor, Whittington Subs not used Street, Clarke, Parkinson Goals Pearce 50, 90 Taylor 85 Booked Poole (foul)

Witton | Danny Roberts (GK), Gardner, Dawson (Green 76), Gary Roberts, Lycett, Chadwick, Baker, Beaumont (Warburton 72), Cropper, Titchiner (Mills 62), Andrews Subs not used Bainbridge, Diskin Goals Andrews 60, Cropper 90

Referee Paul Ince

Attendance 232

Additional reporting by Phil Chadwick