THIS was a match which Witton should never have lost and the 3-1 scoreline suggests a superiority that simply didn't exist.

For long periods of the game Albion were the better side and created more chances, particularly in the first half when they dominated possession and had a huge territorial advantage.

But, as with the season's two previous matches, they simply couldn't make this possession pay and fell to two second-half strikes.

Despite the superiority, Witton were left chasing the game from the seventh minute when Stocksbridge took the lead against the run of play.

Witton lost possession after a free kick in the middle of the park and Steve Johnson was able to collect the ball and feed it through to Ryan Hindley.

The on-loan Halifax striker took the pass in his stride and stroked the ball past Paul Gibson in the Albion goal.

The goal seemed to spur Witton on and they dominated the half with Simon Burton and Craig Sargeson both going close to levelling the tie.

Simon Hughes was unlucky not to equalise after 20 minutes when a fierce shot, which was heading goalwards, was blocked on the line by Burton.

But Witton did get their deserved goal after 56 minutes, courtesy of a Mike Moseley penalty.

Moseley was fouled in the area by Johnson and picked himself up to strike the ball confidently past the Stocksbridge 'keeper Richard Sidall.

Sadly that was as good as it got for Witton as the goal gave the visitors new life and they were back in front 11 minutes later through a penalty of their own.

Hughes pushed Peter Knox in the box and Hindley stepped up to score his and Stocksbridge's second of the afternoon.

Stocksbridge completed the job on 82 minutes with a third goal, which killed off the match.

Knox was given too much time and space in the area and at the second opportunity reaped the rewards of his persistance to fire the ball home.

But Witton kept trying and Sargeson almost gave them a lifeline in stoppage time but his effort was well blocked by Sidall.