WITTON Albion resisted late pressure to complete a double over fellow promotion-hopefuls Leek on Tuesday.

Carl Macauley’s men, desperate to put behind them the disappointment of a weekend reverse at home to Rugby, had established a 2-1 lead by the break thanks to Steven Tames’ double.

However they were forced to defend for large parts of the second period, and were relieved to hear referee Thomas Kirk’s final whistle.

It keeps them in a race for the Northern Premier League Division One South title after rivals Shaw Lane cruised to a 4-0 win against Loughborough.

Former Albion defender Darren Chadwick had gone close with a header before Witton broke through, Tames pouncing to punish goalkeeper Ben Chapman after he had spilled Prince Haywood’s low drive.

However Chadwick, as he had done seven days earlier, converted a penalty after Rob Stevenson had been fouled to make it 1-1 on 35 minutes.

Parity did not last long though, and Tames diverted Will Jones’ attempt – after his strike partner had cleverly made space to shoot – with the merest of touches from close range.

The front man was denied a treble in the second half when Chapman saved, while Paul Williams’ free kick clipped the crossbar.

Brad Bauress flashed an attempt wide too.

At the other end, Tim Grice fired across goal before his headed effort was smuggled clear.

Leek | Chapman (GK), Smith (Bott 88), Morris, Beaumont, Francis (Mullarkey 12), Chadwick, France (Grimshaw 70), Maguire, Grice, Budrys, Stevenson Subs not used Faulkner, Donnelly Goal Chadwick 34 (penalty)

Witton | Roberts (GK), Gardner, Wilson, Lycett, Brown, Williams, Haywood (Omotola 74), Owens, Tames, Jones, Bauress Subs not used Noon, Hickman, Hinchliffe, Hare (GK) Goals Tames 18, 43

Referee Thomas Kirk

Attendance 236