A tough week for Leek Town, which saw them narrowly lose out in the Staffs Senior Cup Final, ended with a weary 3-1 defeat at play-off chasing Witton Albion.

After falling behind to an early goal the Blues managed to claw themselves back into the match just after half time with a fine strike from Lucas Weir but two goals in the space of a minute not long after the hour mark proved too much for the league champions to recover from in a game that held no significance for them other than personal pride.

Still without the likes of Tom Scully, Julius NDene and Dan Trickett-Smith the Blues made one change to the side that had lost in Tuesday’s final with Tim Grice making way for Tom Reilly as manager Josh Brehaut bolstered the midfield knowing his side would be in for a tough match

The game was made notable for the fact that Leek’s captain, Marc Grocott, was making his 250th appearance for the club.

The home side, knowing they needed to win their two remaining games to ensure a play-off place, obviously had more to play for and looked the more motivated and energetic side of the two taking the lead in the 9th minute when Brandon Newall finished from close range from a ball in from the right.

A couple of corners, as Witton continued to press, were well defended along with the blocking of shots from the edge of the area but the Blues were struggling to get any meaningful possession and the forward line of Rob Stevenson and Tom Carr was struggling to receive any service.

It wasn't until the 21st minute of the game that Leek managed to have their first effort of the game. Stevenson had done really well to keep hold of the ball under pressure from two opponents down the left hand touch line and managed to find Louis Keenan. He curled in a cross which was met by Weir but his header proved to be a comfortable save from ex-Leek Town keeper Danny Roberts.

Roberts did then have to produce a good save after 26mins when a ball over the top found Stevenson and he advanced into the area from the right before hitting a shot that Roberts managed to tip away to prevent it going into the far corner.

Stevenson did beat the Witton keeper with a shot on 29mins after being found by a pass from Weir, but saw his left footed curling effort smack back off the bar. It was the fifth time in the last 4 games that the unlucky striker had been denied by the woodwork. Stevensons effort was the culmination of a decent little spell for the visitors before Witton gathered themselves for another onslaught of the Leek goal for the final 15mins of the half.

A good move down the right between Harry Brazel and Mike Koral created a shooting opportunity for Brazel but Oliver Harrison managed to deflect the goal bound effort for a corner with his head.

It was the first of a series of corners that the Blues had to defend up to half time with Leek keeper Dino Visser doing well to command his 6 yard box and punch clear the dangerous in swinging deliveries.

In stoppage time at the end of the half Witton thought they had doubled their lead from one such corner. After being initially cleared by the Town defence the ball was returned and Joe Duckworth steeered an header into the net but was a yard offside to ensure only one goal was in it at the break.

WITTON TOWN 1 - LEEK TOWN 0 HT

Leek began the second half strongly attacking down the left hand side where Keenan's cross was blocked by a Witton arm to hand the Blues a free kick. This was headed dangerously into the 6yard box but an Albion defender was just able to clear before Tom Carr could get on the end of the knock down.

The ball was won back and another attack launched. The ball eventually came to Weir just on the edge of the area and he drilled a low left footed shot that Roberts could only stand and watch into the corner of the goal to make it 1-1 after 48mins.

The home side looked rocked as Leek came forward again. Keenan produced a lovely cross field ball to find Stevenson and he volleyed a cross first time into the box looking for Grocott but a Witton defender was well placed to clear.

Witton made a substitution, taking off Brazel and bringing on James Lawrie and gradually began to regain their composure with a 3-4 minute spell of possession. It ended when a diagonal cross from the left was headed back across goal by former Port Vale forward Tom Pope for Duckworth but Visser was quickly off his line to get to the ball before the Albion forward.

The game was pretty even at this stage before Leek had another decent spell where they nearly went ahead, and if they had of done the final result may have been different.

On 57 mins some good build up play involving Weir and Stevenson resulted in the ball being fed onto Grocott who advanced forward before firing a left foot effort over Roberts bar. Then just 2 mins later Reilly did well to cut out a Witton pass in midfield to immediately find Stevenson on the right. He put in a low cross to the near post that Tom Carr met with a flicked effort to steer the ball towards the far post only to see Roberts get down to produce an instinctive save to divert the ball away with his right hand.

However, that was to be as good as it got for the Blues as the game turned on a penalty decision after 64min.

Witton had already had one appeal for a spot kick waved away when Duckworth fell down under a challenge from Aaron Opoku before Pope used his league experience to get in between a couple of Blues defenders to challenge for a high ball in the box and claimed to be impeded in a sandwich between the defenders, which the referee was happy to give.

Keenan and Grocott were booked for their protests before Duckworth made no mistake with the penalty kick, driving it hard and low to Vissers right.

The restart saw the Blues play the ball backwards but leave a pass too short which allowed the chasing Duckworth to pick up possession and run straight through the Leek back line past a single challenge and finish past Visser for 2 goals within 60 seconds to make it 3-1 after 66mins.

There was to be no coming back from this for a shellshocked and visibly tiring Leek side. Brehaut threw on Grice and Olivier Bavington for fresh legs but the home side remained the more energetic side snapping into their challenges in order to preserve their advantage.

Stevenson had a late chance from a rare Leek corner with his shot being blocked inside the area and appeals for handball falling on deaf ears but overall the Blues were beaten by the slightly better side on the day.

WITTON ALBION 3 - LEEK TOWN 1 FT

The Blues close a memorable season at home next week against Clitheroe. An exciting FA Cup run which laid the foundation for an entertaining and exciting League Championship campaign culminating with a victory at Newcastle Town on Easter Monday.

There is a special commemorative Match Day Programme on sale for the game as well as FREE giveaway to all those buying their tickets ONLINE - you can purchase yours HERE

REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

Post Match Interview Courtesy of Moorlands Radio & Rocketman HERE

Match photos courtesy of Jim Booth HERE