AFTER two steps back, Witton Albion have moved forward again.

They did not beat Marine, but Will Jones’ second-half goal cancelled out James Edgar’s early opener to earn a deserved draw for Carl Macauley’s men on Tuesday night.

The hosts were more adventurous and fielded their attacking trident – Jones, Steven Tames and Rob Hopley – from the start together for the first time this season.

Jones prompted visiting goalkeeper Ben Barnes to parry shortly after the start, but Witton were playing catch-up shortly afterwards.

Edgar moved into space from which to deliver a shot from the edge of the penalty area that whistled across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

Captain Danny Mitchley was inches from connecting with the wide man’s cross at the back post when Marine attacked again.

Albion countered, and Tames ought to have done better than fire straight at Barnes after Jones had sent him clear.

Enjoying more possession, Witton looked more likely scorers.

Jones let fly with an effort that was just too high before James Foley’s header was blocked by Barnes.

Marine’s threat had not disappeared, and Mitchley’s snap-shot was only narrowly off-target at the other end.

Not for the first time this season, Witton improved after the interval.

And they drew level on 49 minutes when a cross from the right reached Jones, and he shot with enough force to beat Barnes despite the custodian getting a hand onto the ball.

The goal-scorer fired high with his next attempt, while Tames scuffed wide of an upright.

Marine served a warning they could still hurt their hosts, and Nick Ryan denied Edgar a second goal when he cleared off the line.

Hopley was denied in shooting stride after Tames had flicked on goalkeeper Calvin Hare’s clearance, while Tames then shot feebly after creating an opening for himself.

Barnes then punched away substitute Paul Williams’ free-kick at the other end.

Tames again teed up Hopley in added time, only for his shot to be deflected wide by a defender.

However referee Alan Bennett awarded a goal-kick.

He attracted the ire of Marine players shortly afterwards though when ruling out substitute James Murray’s goal for offside.

Witton | Hare (GK), Wilson, Devine, Hedley, Brown, Ryan, Haywood (Williams 74), Foley, Hopley, Tames, Jones Subs not used Evans, Newby, Greenop, Neild (GK) Goal Jones 49 Booked Ryan (foul)

Marine | Barnes (GK), Wylie, Short, Hughes, Grogan, Smart (Murray 66), Bakkor, Brewster, Mitchley, Bailey, Edgar Subs not used Strickland, Kisimba, Shaw, Mendes (GK) Goal Edgar 12 Booked Bakkor, Grogan, Wylie, Mitchley and A N Other

Referee Alan Bennett

Attendance 267

Match report by Phil Chadwick