AN early red card proved costly for Witton Albion as they slipped to a home defeat on Saturday afternoon.

Still, they made a good fist of playing with 10 men for more than 80 minutes before eventually falling to a 2-1 loss to Bootle, for whom substitute Kenzie O’Neill struck the winner inside the final 20 minutes.

James Hooper was the man sent for an early bath following a late challenge after just nine minutes, and Bootle duly took the lead just after the half-hour through Connor Harwood.

However, Witton were handed the chance to level when Kevin Spinelli was brought down in the box on the hour mark, with Reece Daly converting the resulting penalty.

Unfortunately for Albion, however, parity lasted just 10 minutes as O’Neill struck the decisive goal.

Ben Harrison’s side are back in action on Tuesday as they travel to Chasetown.

Meanwhile, there were mixed results for our teams in the FA Vase, with Winsford United progressing to the next round while Barnton’s run was brought to a close.

Winsford were 3-1 winners at Maine Road in the second qualifying round, with all three of their goals coming in the first half.

Elliot Coleman bagged a brace for Blues either side of a strike from Leo Tanswell as the visitors were 3-0 up inside 42 minutes.

The hosts pulled one back just before the hour mark through Alex Panter, but Winsford saw the game through with no further alarm.

Dean Jones and Dom Johnson’s side are back in North West Counties League action on Saturday as they travel to Shawbury United in the First Division South.

Barnton’s run came to an end courtesy of a 2-1 loss at Wakefield AFC in a game that saw all three goals scored before half time.

The Villagers had quickly recovered from falling behind after just two minutes as Amir Hajri cancelled out Akeel Francis’ opener, but Mason Rubie’s goal just before the break turned out to be the hosts’ winner.

Barnton now have back-to-back home games against Runcorn Town coming up – they host them in the NWCFL First Division South on Saturday and then again in the Macron Cup on Wednesday, October 2.