WITTON Albion were denied an notable victory when Rhys Lewis levelled for Grantham in the fifth minute of added time.

He forced a loose ball over the line following a scramble to cancel out Steven Tames’ opener for Carl Macauley’s men earlier in the half.

They remain unbeaten on the road since October though.

The visitors were more than a match for opponents that sit second in the Northern Premier League Premier Division table, even without influential midfielder Prince Haywood.

Tames prompted goalkeeper Kieran Preston to save with a boot early on, a trick he repeated when Will Jones fired goal-wards.

The Gingerbreads rarely threatened, and Danny Meadows’ shot lacked power when he had a glimpse of goal.

Andrew Wright failed to hit the target shortly after the interval, while at the other end Owen Dale fired wide after James Foley’s pass had picked him out.

The home team improved, and Albion custodian Calvin Hare held onto Sam Osborne’s header from a Meadows cross.

Jordan Hempenstall, who scored twice at Wincham Park during the teams’ previous meeting this season in December, was less accurate when he met another Meadows centre.

Michael Hollingsworth drove over for Grantham, and Michael Wilson nodded wide for Witton.

Albion found a way through on 76 minutes when Danny McKenna’s free-kick was diverted by Rob Hopley’s header into Tames’ path, and he volleyed powerfully past Preston.

Grantham rallied, and leading goal-scorer Lee Shaw’s header rolled across the face of goal.

Hare was also alert to tip Hempenstall’s effort from a corner around an upright.

Substitute Jack McGovern flashed an attempt off-target, while Foley’s volley was smuggled off the line when Witton threatened to double their lead.

Instead they were pegged back by Lewis, who was in the right place to pinch a point for his side.

Grantham | Preston (GK), Potts (McGovern 83), Luto, Lewis, Galinski, Hollingsworth, Meadows, Wright (McMenamy 77), Hempenstall, Lee Shaw, Osborne (Burrows 63) Subs not used Hakeem, Thompson Goal Lewis 90 (+5) Booked Luto

Witton | Hare (GK), McKenna, Devine, Humphreys, Wilson, Foley, Dale, Owens, Hopley, Jones, Tames Subs not used Williams, Gardner, Cesaire, Brown, Neild (GK) Goal Tames 76 Booked McKenna, Foley, Tames

Referee Chris Reeson

Attendance 239