Witton Albion picked up an important three points by beating Basford United at Wincham Park on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The damage was done within the opening seven minutes, first from a Lewis Carr own goal before a Steve McNulty header put Albion in control.

Manager Carl Macauley made two changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Mickleover in midweek. Danny McKenna returned from suspension while new loan signing, Regan Griffiths, made his debut after joining from Crewe Alexandra.

It was a bizarre goal to open proceedings, as a high ball forward by Josh Wardle was nodded back towards his own goal by Basford defender Lewis Carr. His goalkeeper was off his line and it looped over his head and in at the far post to give Witton the lead.

The advantage was doubled on seven minutes. Debutant Griffiths played Scott Bakkor in on goal but the hat-trick hero from last week saw his effort saved by Jordan Preston.

The corner that followed was swung to the far post and Steve McNulty, up from the back, was on hand to send a thunderous header into the back of the net.

Midway through the half, Basford showed their first sight of goal, full-back Ryan Wilson drilling a low effort which was well saved by Witton shot stopper Chris Renshaw.

Griffiths could have marked his debut with a goal but he miscued his effort after a Bakkor centre.

The half ended with Chris Renshaw doing well to gather the ball after a dangerous cross into the box, spilling the slippery ball at first before gathering well at the second attempt.

Carr, looking to make amends for his earlier mishap, headed wide from a right wing corner at the beginning of the second period, while Will Jones tried an audacious lob from the right touchline but his effort drifted wide.

Griffiths again went close, seeing his shot from the edge of the box deflected out for a corner before a period with little goalmouth action.

The game came back to life in its dying embers as Will Jones, Isaac Baldwin and Nick Ryan all saw efforts well saved by the Basford custodian.

The visitors had chances of their own as Chris Renshaw denies Wilson with a smart near post save.

But in the end, it was a comfortable 2-0 win for Carl Macauley and his team which lifts them up to fifth in the Pitching NPL Premier Division standings.

Report by Paul Harper