CARL Macauley described his relief after Witton Albion were on the right side of the result following another close encounter with one of the Northern Premier League’s best teams.

Substitute Will Jones scored a decisive goal against Nantwich to help the Northwich team put behind them back-to-back defeats at Christmas.

They have beaten the Dabbers, who remain top of the table despite losing, in both Premier Division meetings this season.

“I loved the passion we showed,” said Macauley.

“The margins are fine between the teams at his level and we’ve not been far away at all in the games against Warrington and Farsley.

“It was important to show a desire to recover, and we did.”

His side are unbeaten now in five matches away from Wincham Park, winning four of them.

A ninth clean-sheet of the campaign was hard-earned too, and goalkeeper Greg Hall made impressive saves to thwart James Lawrie and Joe Malkin.

The latter also fluffed a sitter from inside the six-yard box before the break.

Macauley said: “Nantwich had opportunities, but their finishing was poor and Greg made at least one fantastic stop.

“They’re moments that you need to go your way sometimes when you’re in front in a game.

“Previously we’ve not had the rub of the green, and this time perhaps it was our turn.”

The Witton manager reserved praise for Jones, who was on target too in a clash with the leaders when Albion edged Altrincham on the same date last season.

It is only his fourth goal of the campaign, but his impact from the bench allowed the visitors to take control.

Macauley added: “We felt we needed to get Will on the pitch so that he could hold up play and he did that.

“He’ll agree that he needs to score more often, but I’m so happy for him – it was a great finish, a brilliant strike.”