AS he so often has done this season, Bradley Bauress made the difference for Witton Albion during a close encounter.

He scored the only goal after 11 minutes as Carl Macauley’s men registered a fifth successive win in their pursuit of Shaw Lane at the Northern Premier League’s Division One South summit.

A distance between the rivals remains nine points.

The visitors were rewarded on Saturday for their first-half superiority, which started when Bauress steered a smart finish past goalkeeper Mitch Duggan to claim his 23rd goal of the campaign.

And Albion almost doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Will Jones’ powerful attempt rattled the woodwork.

Rob Hopley was next to go close, firing narrowly wide after Paul Williams picked him out.

Spalding, second-best before the break, improved after it.

Leon Mettam blazed high from a free kick, while captain Nathan Stainfield prompted Witton goalkeeper Calvin Hare to make a save when he met Lee Beeson’s corner with a header.

At the other end Bauress’ afternoon ended early when he was hurt by Stainfield’s challenge, although referee Andrew Dallison awarded a free kick rather than a penalty appealed for by Albion.

They breathed a sigh of relief when Stainfield’s attempt rolled past an upright from close range, and did so again when Kern Miller had what he thought was a leveller ruled out because substitute Jonny Lockie had taken the ball out of play.

In between Prince Haywood, on for Bauress, angled an effort wide of the far post.

However Albion did not need the cushion of a second goal, and are unbeaten now in their past dozen league games.

They host Leek on Tuesday.

Spalding | Duggan (GK), Lemon, Miller, Stainfield, Walker, Beeson, Downey (Field 80), Varley (Lockie 73), Acar, Wells, Mettam Subs not used Butland Heeley Booked Lemon, Wells, Stainfield, Acar, Downey

Witton | Hare (GK), Gardner, Brown, Lycett, Wilson, Tames, Williams, Owens, Bauress (Haywood 73), Jones, Hopley Subs not used Devine, Omotola, Sloane, Noon Goal Bauress 11 Booked Brown, Williams

Referee Andrew Dallison

Attendance 181