FOR Witton manager Scott Dundas, history did not repeat.

He led previous club Norton to the FA Cup first round last season and, after back-to-back wins this time at the preceding stages, his current one was on a similar course.

Ominously for him, there are plenty of precedents of Albion being swatted aside during a visit to FC United.

And by the final whistle, that list had grown longer.

There are now two divisions between these familiar foes, so for the higher-ranked team to progress is no surprise.

But the meek Witton that ended the contest bore no resemblance to the aggressive version that deservedly took the lead before 90 seconds had been played.

After an initial roar, they bowed out with barely a whimper.

Dundas admitted afterwards he had wanted his side to stay on the front foot for longer, particularly with an unprotected home defence looking decidedly shaky.

Danny Andrews took full advantage, scooting forward from halfway to feed Alex Titchiner who – after his initial shot was blocked – created an angle to cross for Andrews to prod in an opening goal.

Twice more Witton’s pressure high up the pitch prompted a mistake, only to misplace the final pass.

The hosts improved, but they laboured to create chances.

After Callum Byrne switched play to Craig Lindfield, the winger’s touch inside deserved better than to be sent feebly over the bar by Rory Fallon.

An equaliser followed on 27 minutes, Sam Madeley steering in at the far post after another diagonal pass had sent Adam Thurston into space on the right.

Albion skipper Scott Lycett headed clear, but between them the match officials decided the ball had crossed the line.

The home team, buoyed, then had two goals disallowed.

First Madeley applied a finishing touch from an offside position, then Tom Greaves was punished for pushing Lycett so he could meet Lindfield’s cross with his head.

Witton sounded a warning on 39 minutes, when Titchiner’s drive rapped a post after Andrews again exploited space between the Rebels’ defence and midfield.

However they trailed at the interval after Lindfield ghosted behind Jon Dawson to meet Fallon’s dipping assist with a thumping half-volley.

Dundas rued: “We were naïve, and got punished by quality.”

His side never recovered.

Instead FC strolled through the second period, hitting the woodwork twice.

Fallon and Madeley both sent attempts off-target before the former, an ex-Witton player, spun into space 25 yards from goal and speared an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Danny Roberts.

Greaves’ header skidded wide from Lindfield’s corner, then Roberts stretched to divert another fizzed effort from Fallon onto the crossbar.

He was swift from his line too when smothering substitute Cameron Murray’s shot after they came face-to-face with five minutes left.

Another replacement, Matthew Wolfenden, drilled against a post after wriggling past his marker.

Meanwhile Witton’s attack, weakened by the surprise withdrawal of Titchiner after an hour, registered a rare shot on target in stoppage time when Niall Green forced custodian Lewis King to parry.

FC United 4-2-3-1 | King (GK), Thurston, Bayunu, Ashworth, Wright, Birch, Byrne (Brown 65), Lindfield (Murray 75), Fallon, Madeley (Wolfenden 65), Greaves Subs not used Daniels, Cooke, Lynch, Cheetham Goals Madeley 27, Lindfield 45, Fallon 66

Witton 3-5-2 | Danny Roberts (GK), Bainbridge (Mills 79), Lycett, Gardner, Green, Gary Roberts, Diskin, Andrews, Dawson, Baker (Matthews 59), Titchiner (Cropper 59) Subs not used Hull (GK), Warburton, Brownhill Goal Andrews 2 Booked Gardner (foul)

Referee Peter Wright

Attendance 1,648