WITTON Albion, with two debutants in their side, earned another valuable point against a top-six TEAM.
Following their 2-2 draw with Avro in midweek, Ben Harrison’s side shared the spoils 1-1 at Vauxhall Motors on Saturday.
Harry Brazel’s stunning 16th-minute free kick secured the result, having cancelled out the opener from Vauxhall skipper Nick Rushton in the eighth minute at the Van Eupen Arena.
Witton handed debuts to Alfie Bairstow and Jeanny Akpo, whose signings were announced less than 24 hours before kick off.
Midfielder has arrived at the U Lock It Stadium on loan from Salford City, while pacy winger Akpo is also a loan capture from Warrington Rylands.
A third signing made on Friday, former Everton centre back Jack Tierney brought in on dual registration from National League North side Marine, did not feature.
Witton had chances to win the contest late on but Joe Duckworth, who picked up a head injury, hit the post, Braxel had a goal-bound volley blocked and Jeanny Akpo fired narrowly over the crossbar.
"I'm made up we got a point because I moaned last year that we didn't draw enough games," said Harrison.
"I thought we'd go on and win it at times but Vauxhalls got in some good positins so I think a point was a fair result.
"The goal (that was conceded) was poor, just a lack of concentration. And that was it really, I thought we defended brilliantly.
"I accused us a few weeks ago of having a soft underbelly - and I know people say that about us - yet we've shown against a team who are good at what they do, and against Stafford and Avro, we can stand up to it against good teams.
"It was a really good performance, we battled."
Regarding the additions of the two new signings, Harrison said: "We needed to freshen a few things up.
"We've got a few injuries, so it's about getting some bodies in. We've had a lot of games. And I think they both did really well.
"And the lads react to it when new lads come in and put in a shift. It's good that you feel that."
Elsewhere, Northwich Victoria pulled off a great escape act in the first round of the FA Vase with considerable help from new signing Leo Tanswell.
The former Winsford United ace came off the bench for his debut, replacing Matty Clarke in the 63rd minute, and scored the 87th-minute leveller that sent the tie into penalties.
In the shoot-out, which Vics won 4-2, they did not miss any of their spot kicks, with Sean Cooke, Harry Davis, Adrian Kandeke and Jefferson Abreu all finding the net.
Andre Mendes saved Campion’s second spot kick and the fourth effort from the Bradford side was missed, enabling the Midland League Premier Division leaders to advance.
"I think in the first half you could tell we haven't played for a couple of weeks," said co-manager Lee Duckworth.
"I think we were disappointing going forward and we didn't look after the ball well enough. I think in the final third our decision-making at times was poor in the first half.
"It improved in the second half a little bit but we had that many chances you just thought it was going to be one of those days where the ball doesn't go in.
"Then we got the goal and it became a lottery on penalties.
"Fair play to the players for digging in and their penalties were excellent. Andre came up with a good save as well."
Meanwhile, fifth-placed Midland League Premier Division side Winsford United progressed to the second round of the FA Vase with a 1-0 home win against another Northern Counties East League side Wombwell Town.
Ollie McDonough’s 34th-minute strike was enough to do the job for Blues, who missed a chance to double their advantage when Kallum Boyle’s 64th-minute penalty was saved by Sebba Malkowski.
Elliott Coleman, who had been brought down in the box, got the ball rolling for the winning goal as it was his through-ball that allowed Ollie Pope to drive forward and then cross low for McDonough to steer home at the far post.
Winsford will be grateful to returning keeper Jacob Kirwan who pulled off a miraculous save in the 72nd minute to keep his side in front against a side yet to register an away win in the league this season.
Visiting keeper Malkowski was sent off in the closing stages.
As a last throw of the dice, he went up for a corner but a poor ball in led to him having to backtrack and he took out McDonough on his way back to goal.
In the North West Counties League First Division South, Barnton dropped to fifth after a 1-0 loss at Sandbach United, who are sixth.
Ryan Goodison netted the 82nd-minute winner.
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