FORTRESS Wincham Park is starting to look impregnable once more.
And it needs to be, with most of Witton Albion’s remaining matches scheduled to take place within its four walls.
Rugby may have plundered maximum points from their visit here last month, but the three visitors since have left empty-handed.
A 14th victory of the campaign on home turf was secured thanks to second-half goals from Michael Wilson and substitute Karl Noon.
The table remains unchanged; a routine win for Shaw Lane against Belper leaves Carl Macauley’s men a point adrift of the Northern Premier League Division One South summit with a game in hand.
If they can see off Spalding United on Thursday, then they will occupy top spot for the first time since September.
It would be folly to look any further ahead.
Carlton, able to play with freedom now they are safe from being relegated, kept them occupied in any case.
And the Millers, conquerors of Witton in the return fixture, could feel hard done by at full-time.
Substitute Aaron Hooton twice saw attempts hit the woodwork following his interval arrival in place of Ben Wallace.
After the second, a gorgeous glancing header from William Mellors-Blair’s cross that clipped the crossbar, the hosts went straight to the other end and scored a decisive goal.
Replacement Karl Noon, after the ball was nudged into his path, steadied himself before blasting gleefully past custodian Jack Steggles.
Between such small margins are titles won and lost.
Carlton goalkeeper Jack Steggles holds on under pressure from Witton Albion forwards Rob Hopley and Steven Tames at a corner. Picture: Keith Clayton
Before that moment the home team’s lead, given to them when Wilson thumped high into the net a loose ball that dropped perfectly into his path from a Brad Bauress corner, had felt slender.
Macauley had made five changes to the side that squeezed past Chasetown on Saturday in attempt to keep his side fresh.
He could be forgiven for cursing his luck when one of those, midfielder Prince Haywood, limped off inside half an hour after tweaking a hamstring.
In truth, Witton toiled.
Witton Albion midfielder Prince Haywood's involvement was cut short on Tuesday when he limped off after complaining of a twinge in his hamstring. Picture: Keith Clayton
They created little in the opening period, save for Bauress twice firing off-target.
He was not wasteful, and he had only a glimpse of goal on each occasion.
Rob Hopley headed too close to Steggles early in the second period, although Albion got lucky when Hooton prodded against a post after winning a foot-race to his goalkeeper’s huge punt forward.
Wilson’s breakthrough moment was greeted with relief when it followed shortly afterwards.
Steven Tames then teed up Hopley, who dragged wide of the far upright.
Witton goalkeeper Calvin Hare was alert, and acrobatic, to parry Alex Troke’s shot on the turn before Hooton’s header prompted puffed cheeks from relieved Albion supporters.
They were jubilant though when Noon struck a decisive blow late on.
Witton |4-4-2 | Hare (GK), Gardner, Lycett, Wilson, McKenna, Tames, Haywood (Williams 32), Owens, Bauress, Hopley, Jones (Noon 58) Subs not used Brown, Omotola, Roberts (GK) Goals Wilson 65, Noon 83 Booked Wilson
Carlton | Steggles (GK), Carlisle, Gorman, Walker, Fletcher, Mellors-Blair (Stovell 87), Schoenecker, Newton, Gordon, Troke (Podier 84), Wallace (Hooton 46) Sub not used Charlton Booked Fletcher, Newton
Referee James Madine
Attendance 302
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