WITTON’S third win on the bounce, on Tuesday night, keeps the heat on table-toppers Shaw Lane.

Strikes from Steven Tames and Anthony Brown earned Albion a win against AFC Rushden & Diamonds that leaves them three points adrift of the Northern Premier League First Division South leaders, with a game in hand.

Buoyed by Will Jones handing Carl Macauley’s men a late win at Rugby Town on Saturday, Witton got a grip of Tuesday’s clash courtesy of Tames’ sixth-minute opener.

The second from Brown in the 70th minute achieved a repeat scoreline of Witton’s trip to the Dog and Duck Stadium three weeks earlier.

Tames needed no second invitation to cash in on a defensive error as goalkeeper Ben Heath’s poor clearance was punished clinically.

Jones picked up the ball, headed towards goal and played in Tames to fire over the stranded custodian.

A rasping 18-yard shot from Brad Bauress that crept over the crossbar on 10 minutes was as close as Witton came to doubling the lead in the first half.

Diamonds had their moments but Witton, with Daniel McKenna replacing skipper Anthony Gardner in the defensive unit, looked solid as they dealt with some dangerous crosses and runs.

It was end-to-end stuff after the break, with defences coming out on top.

Albion had two frights, firstly when a Nabil Shariff attempt at goal hit the side netting, while another of his efforts was cleared off the line.

But when Brown fired home from a corner that was earned after a breakaway the outcome was settled.

Albion are home again on Saturday against Chasetown, 3pm, and on Tuesday versus Carlton Town, 7.45pm.

Witton | Roberts (GK), Lycett, McKenna, Wilson, Brown, Williams, Haywood, Owens (Hickman 90+1), Tames, Jones, Bauress Subs not used Noon, Hopley, Omotola, Hare (GK)

Attendance 296