CARL Macauley believes Witton Albion deserved a draw from a meeting with Warrington Town and said their late goal was a reward for their persistence.

The visitors trailed 2-1 when Tom Owens met James Foley’s corner with a connection that earned them a point.

They avoided a third defeat in four matches as a result.

“We always back ourselves to score,” said the Witton manager.

“Again we’ve had to show our fighting spirit, and it’s come up trumps again.

“Tom gambled, something he’s good at, I think we can argue a draw is a fair reflection of what happened on the field.

“We’ve again traded blows with one of the league’s best teams, who are battling to finish first, and not looked out of place.”

Albion had edged in front inside five minutes when Steve Tames steered a header past goalkeeper Luke Pilling from Anthony Gardner’s cross.

However Devarn Green curved in an equaliser for Yellows, who ended the first-half in the ascendancy.

They were given a helping hand by referee Dale Baines when he punished Gardner, harshly, for a foul on substitute Joe Piggott shortly after the interval.

Steven Jennings converted the resulting penalty.

Macauley said: “I was upset with the decision, and didn’t feel it was the right one.

“Look how low their lad has stooped to try and head the ball. What can Anthony do? The referee said he felt there had been contact with the players’ head.

“We had to keep our composure after that.

“I tried to make positive changes, and these lads dug deep again.

“Warrington made us work so hard off the ball, and we’d hoped to reach the interval still with our noses in front.

“However we knew we couldn’t chase them for 90 minutes, and we had to try and impose ourselves on the game.

“I’m just happy we have something to show for our efforts.”