ONE down, one to go.

Everybody expects, or to it feels, and Witton Albion can breathe a little easier after a victory against an awkward opponent secured for Carl Macauley’s side a place in Saturday’s promotion play-offs final.

Spalding United block a path back to the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.

Witton were deserving winners, and they were comfortable with it despite a spirited reaction by Rushden to midfielder Dan Quigley’s dismissal for a reckless tackle on Steven Tames.

By then, Albion already led.

Their goal, a beautifully-lofted finish by Rob Hopley over goalkeeper Matt Finlay after winning a foot-race to Anthony Gardner’s clipped pass, captured in a decisive moment the difference between these two teams.

While locked in an arm-wrestle for the first 40 minutes, there was nothing to separate them.

Both sets of players were cagey, tentative and careless in possession.

Witton, shorn of injured Paul Williams, sorely missed the midfielder’s serenity and purpose.

They will wonder how they didn’t lead by the break though.

Finlay had been alert to tip over Anthony Brown’s hooked shot, but he was merely warming up.

When Brad Bauress arced a free kick onto Tom Owens head, from which the ball was directed towards the bottom corner, he clawed to safety.

Owens could not believe it.

Still, Finlay was not done.

His next intervention, flying to his right to divert Bauress’ stinging shot onto the crossbar, was miraculous.

Diamonds, perhaps sensing their luck was in, started the second half promisingly.

They were unlucky when Sam Brown’s long throw, flicked on by Tom Lorraine, deflected narrowly wide off an unwitting Anthony Brown.

Within 60 seconds, they trailed.

Hopley was courageous, alert too, when he steered the ball goal-wards before Finlay clattered into him.

He was flat on his back when it hit the net.

Lorraine then forced custodian Danny Roberts to make his only save of the contest, low next to an upright, when he shot powerfully.

Diamonds, still searching for a first goal against Albion this season, faced an even more difficult task after Quigley saw red following a dangerous lunge at Tames.

They stuck to it, and Lorraine skidded a header wide from Sam Brown’s cross.

Will Jones was unmarked when a Bauress set piece reached him, but he headed tamely.

When he turned provider for Hopley, nudging a cute pass into his strike partner’s path, Brad Harris timed perfectly a block.

At 1-0, Albion’s advantage felt slender even though they had control.

Their supporters will have felt time stand still when Sam Brown lined up an attempt from distance in added time, but his but he fired high and they could puff their cheeks with relief.

Their clenched fists punched the air with delight when referee Lewis Smith blew the final whistle only seconds later.

The reward they feel their favourites deserve is a bit closer.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Gardner, Anthony Brown, Lycett, Devine, Tames, Haywood, Owens, Bauress, Jones, Hopley Subs not used Omotola, McKenna, Noon, Wilson, Ritchie (GK) Goal Hopley 54 Booked Brown (foul)

Rushden | 4-4-2 | Finlay (GK), Westwood, Harris, Dolman, Sam Brown, Richards (Bowen 67), Farrell, Quigley, Brown-Hill (Oulton 46), Lorraine (Orosz 88), Shariff Subs not used McNulty, Heath Booked Brown-Hill, Westwood (both fouls) Sent off Quigley (foul)

Referee Lewis Smith

Attendance 580