WITTON Albion had forgotten what it felt like to lose on their travels this season.

However substitute Jack Dyche served a reminder, with seven minutes left, when he squeezed a shot past goalkeeper Calvin Hare from an improbable angle to pinch the points for Ashton.

Visiting players protested that the ball had crept through the side-netting, but referee Ian Gittins and his assistant disagreed.

A victory boosts the Robins’ play-offs hopes, and dented those of Carl Macauley’s men – ending an unbeaten sequence in the Northern Premier League at nine matches.

Nantwich, back in October, were the last team to beat them away from Wincham Park in a Premier Division game.

And yet Witton were on course for fifth successive victory when Steve Tames, their leading goal-scorer, found the net at the second attempt from Tom Owens’ cut-back on the hour.

Ashton levelled through Dean Smalley, who converted a rebound after his initial effort had struck the crossbar.

Captain Mark Lees had sparked a scramble when his volley hit the woodwork.

John Pritchard ought to have done better when he sliced off-target before Dyche delivered a blow on 83 minutes after Sam Sheridan’s pass had picked him out.

Hare, on reflection, will be disappointed.

The teams had traded chances in the first-half, and James Foley’s free-kick flashed into the side-netting for Witton.

Liam Tomsett could not hit the target from Sheridan’s set-piece, while Pritchard blasted wide from a promising position.

Hare also pulled off a fine save to deny Lewis Baines at close quarters after he had connected with Tomsett’s free-kick.

Ashton | Carnell (GK), Dom Smalley, Pritchard, Granite, Baines, Sheridan, Lees, Tomsett (Chalmers 86), Dean Smalley (Johnson 90), Mooney (Dyche 79), Evangelinos Subs not used Platt, Basso Goals Dean Smalley 65, Dyche 83

Witton | Hare (GK), McKenna (Gardner 54), Devine, Humphreys, Wilson, Foley, Haywood, Owens (Evans 86), Hopley, Jones (Ryan 54), Tames Subs not used Lingouba, Neild (GK) Goal Tames 60

Referee Ian Gittins

Attendance 244