Chorley 1 Witton Albion 2

UniBond Division One

Saturday, January 19

IN many ways this was perhaps a more satisfying victory for Witton than their seven-goal bonanza against Stocksbridge a week earlier.

But it was a very different story at Chorley, where they had to show they were up for a battle and, like all promotion-chasing sides need to from time to time, dug out a result with a workman-like team performance.

After starting brightly then letting an early lead slip, it took now regular penalty taker Brian Pritchard to seal the points from the spot 18 minutes from time.

Following the 7-2 trouncing of Steels, Albion picked up pretty much where they left off last Saturday as Simon Burton scored their fifth goal in 16 minutes of football.

Referee Keith Lawton played a good advantage in the fifth minute when Mike Moseley was fouled and he allowed Burton to go on and shoot from an angle, beating Simon Marsh with a little help from a deflection.

Marsh was equal to further efforts by Burton before the break, but Kevin Whitehead pulled off the save of the half by tipping away David Lever's free-kick, which was destined for the top corner.

But Whitehead was beaten in the 40th minute when Peter Smythe floated in a set piece and centre back Lee Molyneaux headed in unmarked.

Then there was a real let-off for the visitors in the 53rd minute when Whitehead came out to challenge Lever, who rounded the keeper and squared to David Eatcok. Paul Barrow came to the rescue on this occasion to clear off the line from the former Newcastle United midfielder.

But Burton was always a danger to the Chorley defence and after having a shot deflected on to the post, he was unlucky to be denied the winner.

The striker was poised to score from just two yards before Ian Leather, who was fortunate not to get a second yellow card for the challenge, took away his legs and conceded the 72nd minute penalty.

Pritchard, one of the few Albion players who hasn't missed from the spot this season, did the rest with a convincing shot past Marsh.

Witton: Whitehead, Mallinson, Barrow, Pritchard, Simpson, Clegg, Rose, Rendell (Heys 80), Crompton, Burton, Moseley. Not used: Crane, MacDonald. Attendance: 294. Star man: Simon Burton.