IT proved to be a miserable bank holiday Monday for Witton Albion, 1874 Northwich, Northwich Victoria and Winsford United.

All four teams were defeated and two red cards were collected as well.

Witton suffered their first loss of the new campaign, falling 4-2 at Runcorn Linnets in Northern Premier League West.

Connor Hughes’ 33rd-minute strike, picking up on the rebound from the keeper’s parry of Joe Duckworth’s shot, reduced the deficit before the break, with Jon Macken’s men having conceded to Joe Lynch (7mins) and Eden Gumbs (14).

But the second half started off disastrously as Max Woodcock (48) gave Albion a mountain to climb.

Gumbs made it 4-1 after 65 minutes, putting the icing on the cake for their first home win of term, and Duckworth’s late penalty was nothing more than a consolation effort for the visitors, who have slipped to 13th in the table.

The sides will meet again at Millbank Linnets Stadium in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday, September 9.

Albion will return to FA Cup action this Saturday when they visit Lancaster City in the first qualifying round, kick-off 3pm, before hosting Hednesford Town on Tuesday in the NPL, 7.45pm.

1874 Northwich dropped to second from bottom of the division after a 1-0 home loss to Nantwich Town at Townfield.

Byron Harrison rose highest in the box to head home the 76th-minute winner for the Dabbers, still leaving 1874 without a league win this term.

Three minutes later Jack Marrow was sent off for a heavy tackle that sparked a few tempers.

It was Nantwich’s first away win of the season, moving them up to 12th.

1874 will go again on Saturday when they visit Newcastle Town, 3pm.

Northwich Victoria have also fallen to second bottom in their league after a 3-0 home defeat to Lichfield City.

Both sides had their chances, but the visitors were clinical and remain unbeaten in Midland League Premier Division matches so far in 2023/24.

The killer third goal from Liam Kirton came moments after Vics had an effort cleared off the line at the other end.

Vics’ Sam Unwin was shown a red card in the 90th minute for a second bookable offence.

Steve Pickup’s side will aim to get back on track at seventh-placed Darlaston on Saturday, 3pm.

Winsford United were left cursing their luck after failing to a seventh straight loss in the North West Counties League Division One South.

This time it came at home to Maine Road, 1-0.

Blues hit the woodwork twice in the first half, had a Daniel Evans 66th-minute effort ruled out for offside and then conceded to Yasir Salim for Maine Road in the 89th minute.

Winsford will hope for better fortune when they visit 15th-placed Stockport Georgians on Saturday, 3pm, before hosting 16th-placed Droylsden on Tuesday, 7.45pm.

In the same division, 13th-placed Barnton did not play on bank holiday Monday but host 10th-placed Eccleshall on Wednesday, 7.45pm, and visit third-placed Market Drayton Town on Saturday, 3pm.