CARL Macauley has admitted that goalkeeper Ryan Crump has made too many mistakes and that Witton Albion will have a new goalkeeper for tonight’s trip to AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

After watching his side almost let slip a sizeable lead in two of their past three Northern Premier League matches – during which the 21-year-old was directly at fault for at least two goals – the manager has decided to act.

He has lined up a replacement, and the Northwich outfit hope to announce his signing today.

“We’ve had a judgement to make,” said Macauley.

“After that, we’ve got together with Ryan and decided it’s in both our interests that he finds somewhere else to play while he rebuilds his confidence again.”

Macauley told the Guardian that the former Southport custodian had accepted responsibility for Stocksbridge Park Steels’ third goal in a 4-3 win last Tuesday.

He was similarly culpable for Shaw Lane’s second when Albion toppled the leaders seven days earlier.

Crump was the latest net-minder, after Craig Ellison and Cesare Vernazza, to fill in for Danny Roberts after he sustained a foot injury during a 2-1 win at Basford in January.

He has still not returned to training, and date for his return is unknown.

Macauley said: “Danny has had ups and downs with his recovery.

“We had received positive news a couple of weeks ago, only to find out that he’d suffered a setback.”

Albion make one of their longest trips of the campaign today to take on opponents that have fallen from the promotion play-offs places following back-to-back defeats.

Diamonds sit sixth in the standings at kick off, a point adrift of Leek in front of them.

However Macauley, who gave his players the afternoon off following the postponement of Saturday’s meeting with Spalding, expects to find a fired-up Rushden on arrival at the Dog & Duck Stadium.

He said: “We’ve had mixed reports on them, but we know the threats they can pose.

“It’s a test for us to make a journey like this one in midweek, but we’re not the only team in that position.

“I expect a really tough challenge down there.”

He has everybody available apart from Roberts, while midfielder Prince Haywood may miss out due to work commitments.