THIS time seven days ago, Carl Macauley did not expect to become Witton’s next manager.

Nor is it a promise of miracles that persuaded Albion’s board to pick him ahead of fans’ favourite Brian Pritchard.

However this latest defeat, the hosts’ fifth in their past six league matches, will have left Scott Dundas’ successor with no illusion as to the size of his task.

His side’s position is stark; they’re closer to the level below than a return to the Northern Premier League’s top flight.

From a team including four debutants, and six changes from a midweek mauling at Mossley, he asked for one thing above all else; demonstrable desire.

They gave him that much.

Neither manager – Macauley’s opposite number Phil Brown only took over at Lancaster little more than a fortnight ago – saw much by way of cohesion from line-ups sprinkled with strangers.

With that in mind, a single goal was always likely to be decisive.

And the Dolly Blues, 4-0 victors here on their previous visit four years ago, scored it when Joe Whittington diverted Ryan Winder’s cross past Witton goalkeeper Andy Firth midway through the second half.

Albion’s response during the game’s remainder was sporadic.

Michael Powell, from Danny Andrews’ free kick, had the clearest glimpse of goal with four minutes left.

However his header lacked the power to worry Lancaster custodian Mike Hale.

Alex Titchiner went close too, but he could not steer substitute Alex Salmon’s driven assist inside the far upright.

Macauley said: “There was nothing in the game, and I felt whoever scored first would win. That’s exactly what happened.

“I’m disappointed to concede from a set piece, particularly as we didn’t put pressure on them taking a short free kick.

“It’s true we lacked a spark, and didn’t create much.

“There are players here who can help us to be a lot better in the final third, which is something we’ll work hard at.”

The former Marine manager did not know how many players would turn up to train on Thursday and two newcomers – Firth and Liam Davies – were registered only hours before kick-off.

Of the side he watched from the stand the previous Saturday, Chris Baker has played his last game for Witton and Gary Roberts did not report for duty.

Jamie Matthews did, but too late to be listed on the team-sheet.

“It’s been a testing week,” admitted Macauley.

“The club is in a transitional moment, and we’ve had to act fast just to get a team together.

“We knew we’d lose players, but that’s not left us with much time to do something about it.”

On this weekend last season, Albion lost a 10th successive match in the Premier Division.

The current sequence stands at four.

“Our first priority is to end that,” added Macauley.

Witton 4-3-3 | Firth (GK), Gardner, Lycett, Chadwick, Dawson, Garrity (Bainbridge 85), Roddan (Salmon 63), Powell, Andrews, Titchiner, Davies (Schofield 63) Subs not used Garner (GK), Grayson

Lancaster 4-5-1 | Hale (GK), Gregory, Mercer, Marshall, Gavin Clark, Winder, Watson, Akrigg, Russell, Whittington, Zach Clark (Morris 82) Subs not used Donlon (GK), Davis, Street Goal Whittington 63 Booked Watson (foul)

Referee Thomas Kirk

Attendance 258