ALBION kept in close touch with the teams leading the way in Unibond Division One South with a 1-0 win at Goole on Saturday.

Brad Maylett’s goal secured victory to keep Witton just two points behind the three joint-leaders following a performance that was not pretty but effective.

In a virtually unforgettable opening half, Albion’s only effort that forced Craig Parry into a save, came from a Paul Booth header following a corner-kick.

From their second flag kick four minutes before the interval Brad Maylett was well off target.

At the other end Joe Clegg made a good recovery save after blocking an initial shot before the next attack saw the keeper punch straight to a home forward, who drove his shot wide of the far left post.

A good ball from the right by Steve Hall presented Mike Moseley with a chance but the striker was not able to get his prolific foot to the ball.

Thankfully, the second period was a much better spectacle.

Three minutes had elapsed when Jamie Tandy’s free kick into the danger area saw Stuart Rudd poke his effort narrowly wide.

Albion began to make regular sorties forward but had a let off after Gavin Alott had rounded Clegg yet was unable to produce the finish as the ball quickly sped out for a goal kick.

The deadlock was broken 20 minutes from time when Steve Foster, who had a quiet afternoon, picked out Maylett and he looked up before drilling a low shot in from the right angle of the area and into the far left side of the net.

Witton had a couple of scary moments when preserving their slender lead.

A Glyn Cotton free kick crashed back off the right upright, while two minutes into stoppage time, the woodwork again was tested when a shot rebounded off the top of the crossbar.

It has been nearly 20 years since Albion last visited Goole and the presence of the 40 or so Wittoners gave the East Yorkshire outfit their highest attendance of the season.

Witton Joe Clegg; Paul Booth, Carl Ruffer, Stuart Rudd, Jamie Tandy; Brad Maylett, Steve Hall, Paul Henry, Peter Heler; Steve Foster, Mike Moseley. Subs not used Brian Pritchard, Steve Brodie, Lee Neville. Att 184.