DESPITE a performance that offered promise, Witton left Lancashire unfulfilled.

The awkward truth is Albion are too easy to score against.

They have conceded 15 goals now in nine Premier Division matches, plus five in Saturday’s FA Cup collapse at Runcorn.

At 2-1 up with only 10 minutes left, an improved display ought to have been rewarded with a deserved victory.

Instead Ramsbottom, who had threatened sporadically after the interval, netted twice.

Cedric Krou escaped a marker to glance substitute Tom Williams’ corner inside an unprotected post, then Jordan Hulme spun away from Cliff Moyo to fire in a match-clinching goal.

If Anthony Sheehan’s team had been in a more ruthless mood, then their hosts would not have had an incentive to strive for maximum points.

Between them, Josh Hancock and Neil Harvey had enough chances to have settled the outcome long before Krou’s leap led to a leveller.

Yet instead the new manager is left to reflect on a third defeat in seven days, during which his side’s defence has been breached 11 times.

That seemed unlikely to be as crucial a statistic earlier.

Unsettled initially by Rammy’s speed in attack Witton, who started with teenage Liam Blake in midfield after signing him on loan from Chester, steadied themselves.

They took the lead when Hancock adjusted admirably to volley in Scott Bakkor’s cross from the right after 18 minutes.

It had a soothing effect.

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton was swift from his line to deny Danny Andrews after Michael Powell’s sweeping pass had dissected the hosts’ defence, then Harvey fluffed a chance to double Albion’s lead.

Sent clear by Andrews, he fired off-target with the goal at his mercy.

Albion conjured another opening when Blake and Hancock combined to find Mike Lea in a shooting space, but Shenton parried.

The consequences were hurtful, and untimely; Hulme finished smartly with the final kick of the half.

Witton’s best spell followed the interval, after which they were recognisable again.

Dominic Smalley’s clumsy tackle on Scott Bakkor was punished with a penalty award, but Shenton saved Hancock’s kick low to his left.

Undeterred, the on-loan wide man drilled in a stylish second goal on 57 minutes after Anthony Gardner started a move from defence that ended with Andrews and then Blake nudging the ball into his path.

Rammy rallied, Osebi Abadaki’s drive stinging Chris Sanna’s hands before the goalkeeper blocked Nelson Mota’s attempt from the rebound.

Hulme then headed high from Mota’s corner shortly afterwards.

Albion assembled the move of the match on 66 minutes, Hancock and Blake making an incision into the hosts’ defence before Harvey fizzed a shot across the face of goal.

But instead Krou scored next after Witton had carelessly conceded a corner, then Hulme’s attempt was powerful enough to evade Sanna despite him getting a hand on the ball.

It was a knockout blow of the type Albion had been unable to land when they had the chance.

Rammy (4-4-2) Shenton (GK), Smalley, Krou, Howson, Pilkington, Abadaki, Spencer (Slaven 46), Burton, Dean (Cook 46), Mota (Williams 72), Hulme Subs not used Pugh, Irwin Goals Hulme 45, 85 Krou 81 Booked Hulme (foul), Burton (dissent)

Witton (4-4-2) Sanna (GK), Gardner, Moyo, Harrison, Lea, Andrews, Blake (Koral 90), Powell, Hancock, Bakkor (Howard 79), Havey (Titchiner 73) Subs not used Davidson, Dawson Goals Hancock 18, 57

Referee Andrew Halliday

Attendance 231