WITTON Albion could not prevent in-form South Shields from closing a gap to rivals in front of them in a race to be promoted from the Northern Premier League’s top-flight.

Lee Mason’s first-half goal was enough to secure for the Mariners maximum points and with it extend an unbeaten run in the Premier Division to 11 matches.

Carl Macauley’s men recovered from being outplayed before the break to holding their own after it and ought to have levelled when Tom Owens blazed over when well-placed.

A third defeat in a 10-day stretch, which has featured a run of games against the table’s top-four teams, leaves them 15th in the table.

Who stood out for you in Albion’s colours?