AN afternoon defined more by its efficiency than excitement ended with Witton Albion preparing for the play-offs following their best run of results this season.

Brian Pritchard’s men recorded a fifth successful win, this time against robust Rushall Olympic, to secure a fourth place finish at the end of a first term back in the Northern Premier League’s top tier.

They now need to beat FC United of Manchester on Tuesday to keep alive their hopes of achieving back-to-back promotions.

The outcome of this contest was influenced heavily by the dismissal midway through the first half of Rushall defender Sam Smith, who raised a hand to Steve Foster during a melee sparked by Gavin Caines’ woefully-timed tackle on Oliver James.

Joe Shaw swerved the resulting free kick past goalkeeper Chris Gemmell, ending an opening period in which the Pics – their own play-offs hopes ended by a sequence in which they won only one of seven matches – looked more likely scorers.

The visitors’ most presentable chance fell to Dave Walker who, after intercepting a poorly-directed clearing header by Mathew Wood, danced around custodian Matt Cooper.

However he fired straight at Ben Harrison on the goalline.

At the other end, Shaw struck wide after Anthony Gardner pushed the ball into his path.

Shaw’s goal, so soon after Smith’s merited sending off, disorientated Rushall.

Mitchell Tolley was booked for dissent, then Grant Beckett scythed down Gardner with a late challenge that cut short the full back’s afternoon when he later limped off injured.

Ahmed Obeng at least made Cooper save low to his right after ghosting into a shooting position, while Gardner – before his enforced exit – shot narrowly off target from Shaw’s assist.

Rushall, lacking an incentive, were reluctant to roll over.

A man down, they could not attack as freely as they had during the early exchanges.

Witton, sporadic principally because they could afford to be, scored a second goal during one of their peak attacking periods.

Tolley tripped Danny Andrews inside the penalty area when he reached first Foster’s flick, presenting top scorer Shaun Tuck with the chance to blast goal number 25 of term high into the net.

The ex-Skelmersdale striker needed no second invitation.

It put Witton out of Rushall’s reach, and also that of AFC Fylde who lost 2-1 in any case at home to title-chasing Hednesford Town.

Gemmell, gargantuan in luminous green when the two teams met in Walsall last October, gave another goalkeeping masterclass in the closing stages.

He flew – literally – to his right to claw clear Michael Powell’s curving free kick, then saved low to his left when substitute Mike Moseley attempted to squeeze his shot through a small gap.

A better stop followed, this time blocking with a boot when Shaw directed an attempt with power towards the bottom corner after Foster threaded the ball in the midfielder’s direction.

Rushall’s best chance fell to Lee Downes, but passed to substitute Ryan Edmunds when it seemed simpler just to shoot.

Witton Star Man: Danny Andrews.

Witton (4-4-2) Cooper (GK), Gardner (Glover 46), Harrison (Sheehan 59), Joseph, Wood, Shaw, James, Powell, Andrews, Tuck (Moseley 74), Foster. Subs not used Plant (GK), Hancock. Goals Shaw 20, Tuck 69 (penalty). Booked Foster (ungentlemanly conduct), Tuck (kicking the ball away), James (foul)

Rushall (5-3-2) Gemmell (GK), Haynes, Smith, Tolley, Daniel, Beckett (Thompson 62), Downes, Caines, Stephens (Edmunds 83), Walker (Dovey 46), Obeng. Subs not used Landell, Amos. Booked Caines, Beckett (both fouls), Tolley, Haynes (both dissent). Sent off Smith (violent conduct)

Referee Paul Hodskinson (Bamber Bridge)
Attendance 508