JON Macken paid tribute to his Witton Albion side’s response to seeing their two-goal lead wiped out during Monday’s win over Runcorn Linnets.

Having taken an early 2-0 lead, Albion were pegged back to 2-2 at the U Lock It Stadium to bring the game back into the balance just after half-time.

Just two minutes after the visitors’ equaliser, however, Joe Duckworth struck his second goal to put Witton back in front before Connor Hughes’ late strike secured a 4-2 win.

The result stretches Witton’s unbeaten league run to seven games and Macken was quick to heap praise upon his players.

“I thought it was a great game of football for the spectators – really entertaining,” he said.

“They’re a good side and they are where they are in the league for a reason, but I thought we played well.

“We go 2-0 and if we get the next goal, it probably finishes it but they get it and got a bit of momentum.

“I said at half time that we could push on a little bit more and be more aggressive. We conceded early on but fair play to the lads, they responded massively after that.

“Massive credit to the lads – it’s been a tough week with a lot of illness around but there were some fantastic performances out there.”

Northwich Guardian: Witton have now gone seven league matches without defeatWitton have now gone seven league matches without defeat (Image: Karl Brooks Photography)

The result lifted Albion to ninth in the Northern Premier League West Division table as they continue to rebuild after a stuttering start under Macken.

Their campaign is now just beyond the halfway mark and the play-off places are six points away.

“It was never going to be easy and I think everybody acknowledged as much after bringing a new squad in, which we had to do,” Macken said, assessing his first 20 league games in charge.

“We had to gel and get to know each other and I think they did, but we had to work on those results and performances.

“The belief among the lads is up there now and the performance levels are still there.”