Match report by Dave McMillan

Marine lost their unbeaten away record this season as they were defeated 2-0 at Witton Albion on Tuesday night.

A tight first half finished goalless but Albion got the crucial opening goal four minutes in to the second, and went on to have the better chances for the remainder of the game as they also became the first side to prevent the Mariners from scoring in the League.

Daniel Andrews was the first to get an opening for the home side, bursting in to the box with Ryan McMahon coming off his line to block.

The lively Matthew Cross tried his luck from well outside of the box, his chip dropping over the bar with McMahon off his line.

Liam Dawson responded for the Yellows with a good run on the left and dangerous cross, Matthew Cooper in the Witton goal having to dive to catch by the foot of a post, before Shaun Dowling warmed the gloveman’s hands with a long range shot for the Mariners.

Steve Foster got free in the area and tried to catch McMahon out with a first time flick with the outside of his boot, but the Marine number one was alert and parried the ball for a corner.

Josh Hancock had a shot from the edge of the box that McMahon pouched, with Marcus Carver seeing a shot blocked at the other end with Dawson’s effort from the rebound being deflected for a corner.

Marine’s best chance fell to Carver, the Accrington loanee finding space on the left of the area to fire across goal, Cooper pulling off a good stop with his legs to keep the scoresheet blank.

Early in the second half Michael Ordish brought another fine save from Cooper, his rising drive from the edge of the area being fingertipped over the bar.

It was Albion who opened the scoring through Foster, a good move down the left leading to Ashley Stott driving the ball across goal for the former Chorley striker to crash it in to the roof of the net from very close range.

Witton were on top now and a spell of pressure led to a second goal on 74 minutes, Andrews’ corner being met with a strong header from Cross to put them firmly in control.

Foster might have made things worse late on, racing clear to look odds on to score but seeing his shot rebound off the post.

Witton Albion: Matthew Cooper, Anthony Gardner, Mathew Wood, Joshua Glover, Paul Booth, Anthony Sheehan (Cap), Joshua Hancock (Rory Fallon 81), Matthew Cross, Ashley Stott (Shaun Tuck 63), Steven Foster, Daniel Andrews (Jamie Harrison 87).

Unused subs: Ben Harrison, Adam Clayton. Cautions: None.

Marine: Ryan McMahon (Cap) (Callum Williams 60), Shaun Dowling, Paul Lundon, Matty Brown, Paul Jones, Alan Burton, Matty Devine, Jonathan Goulding, Marcus Carver (Karl Noon 78), Liam Dawson, Michael Ordish (Nick Rogan 78).

Unused subs: Thomas Moore, Liam Rice. Cautions: None.

Referee: Mr. Michael Denton; Assistants Mr. Michael Barlow, Mr. Nigel D’Arcy.

Attendance: 347.