Last gasp goal keeps Witton's hopes alive (From Warrington Guardian)

Last gasp goal keeps Witton's hopes alive

A LAST minute own goal preserved Witton Albion's unbeaten run and kept John Davison's side in the hunt for a promotion spot.

But Albion have more to thank than the head of Ossett Town defender Dave Briggs as they refused to settle for a draw that seemed the most likely outcome and played attacking football until the final whistle blew.

Witton's afternoon started well with Darrell Dicken opening the scoring after just seven minutes.

Andy Pavey threaded a pass through to Dicken and as the Witton midfielder ran away from goal he suddenly pivoted and chipped a delightful shot over the head of Ossett keeper Michael Clarke and into the back of the net.

The lead was short-lived though as Ossett capitalised on poor defending on 12 minutes and Richard Tracey picked up the scraps after a goalmouth scramble.

Albion continued to press and went looking for a second goal to re-establish their lead.

And they almost found a way through when Dicken put Mike Moseley through on goal, but Witton's top scorer couldn't apply a suitable finish and slashed wildly at the ball sending it well wide.

Ossett took full advantage of the miss and took the lead after 38 minutes with a sweetly struck 30-yard Steve Price free kick which gave Paul Gibson no chance.

Witton started the second period brightly and could have equalised after 65 minutes when John Stannard ran at goal only for Clarke to pull off an excellent save.

They finally got the reward their attacking deserved on 75 minutes through Moseley.

The striker hit a fierce shot from the edge of the area that Clarke could only parry into the opposite corner of the net.

At 2-2 the game looked over but Witton continued to press and were gifted a third goal when Briggs headed past Clarke from 10 yards out after a Stannard cross.