THIS is a result that will feel better on reflection for Witton than it did right after the final whistle.

A fourth successive league win, and a third in in a row on the road, appeared in little doubt when they reached the interval with a two-goal advantage.

However Harry Clayton’s stoppage-time header earned for Kidsgrove a reward their second-half display probably just about deserved.

A draw inches Carl Macauley’s men clear in third place, although a gap to pacesetters Shaw Lane is 13 points with three games in hand.

The fact this match marked his side reaching halfway in their season, despite it being the first day in February, is an indicator there is plenty of football to play.

A haul of three victories and a tie in the past 10 days, which has included a head-to-head with two direct rivals for promotion and a meeting with one of the Northern Premier League Division One South’s in-form teams, is a reason to be cheerful.

Not only that, their evening started with emergency signing Cesare Vernazza in goal after Danny Roberts failed a fitness test.

The Italian met his teammates for the first time in the dressing room before kick-off.

With midfielder Paul Williams unavailable due to work commitments, loanee Danny Reynolds made his debut wide right while Prince Haywood switched to a central position.

The visitors might have taken the lead in the eighth minute, only for Kidsgrove custodian Chris Martin to save smartly with a boot to deny Rob Hopley.

Albion survived a scare at the other end when Anthony Malbon, an apparent certainty to score, headed against the crossbar from close range.

The visitors made him pay, scoring twice in as many minutes to assume control.

First, Hopley steered in Steven Tames’ low centre after Tom Owens’ chipped pass had conjured an opening.

After retrieving possession from the restart, Witton doubled their lead when Reynolds was swift to pounce on a loose ball after Martin had parried Tames' drive into his path.

Grove improved after the interval, and were gifted an opportunity to reply when referee Richard Cattell accused Matty Devine of nudging Clayton in the back.

The striker was thwarted when Vernazza instinctively stuck out a leg to block his spot kick, although he did halve the hosts’ arrears on 65 minutes after Malbon had scooped an attempt onto the woodwork when it seemed simpler to score.

Kidsgrove’s period of dominance did not deliver a second goal, and they succumbed to Albion’s speed on the counter in the final quarter of an hour.

One such raid ended with Tames’ spearing a shot against the bar, while Martin was swift from his line to smother Hopley’s effort.

Witton created a glut of chances afterwards; substitute Jamie Hinchilffe’s attempt lacked force, and Hopley headed wide Bradley Bauress’ corner before taking too long to pick his spot after Haywood clipped a pass over the home team’s defence.

Bauress skidded an effort wide of the far upright, then Hopley’s next shot clattered against a post.

After such wastefulness, the blow of Clayton levelling in the third minute of added time will have left a bruise.

Kidsgrove | 3-5-2 | Martin (GK), Ashman, Austin, Bergin, Diskin (Johns 83), Skelton (Hodgkinson 26, Mills 87), Davidson, Grocott, Pickerill, Clayton, Malbon Subs not used Bath, Silvestor Goals Clayton 65, 90 (+3) Booked Hodgkinson, Grocott, Bergin (all fouls)

Witton | 4-4-2 | Vernazza (GK), Gardner, Brown, Lycett, Devine, Reynolds (Hinchliffe 66), Owens, Haywood, Bauress, Tames, Hopley Subs not used Omotola, Hickman, Sloane, Noon Goals Hopley 29, Reynolds 30 Booked Devine, Hinchliffe (both fouls)

Referee Richard Cattell

Attendance 184