CARL Macauley believes Witton Albion have delivered their best display of the season so far to send Spennymoor Town crashing out of the FA Cup.

Goals from James Foley, who converted from the penalty spot, and Rob Hopley set the Northwich side on a course for the third qualifying round for the first time since 2011.

“What a performance,” said the Albion boss afterwards.

“We knew what we were up against and that every lad would have to be on form. And they were.

“Man for man, that’s as good as we’ve been.

“And we fully deserved to go through.”

He told the Guardian that Witton had attacked with greater incisiveness than their National League North guests, who arrived at Wincham Park unbeaten in their past five matches.

Four of those were wins too.

Albion enjoyed a slice of fortune too – Glen Taylor and substitute Mark Anderson both sent attempts against the woodwork – but Macauley hailed his side’s defensive solidity again.

He added: “We kept our shape, and were strong when we had to be.

“But I wanted to be brave at the same time and take the game to them which is why we went with two lads up front.

“We did more than they did in attack and had two or three golden opportunities to put the game out of their reach before Rob scored our second.

“They were always going to have a spell when they put us under pressure, but I felt we limited them – they didn’t get face-to-face with our goalkeeper on a single occasion.”