A stunning goal from Liam Goulding gave Witton Albion all three points from their Northern Premier League encounter with Gainsborough Trinity at Wincham Park.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game, and brightened up an otherwise fairly dull game with goalscoring chances few and far between.

Albion boss Carl Macauley named an unchanged starting XI from that which beat Seaham Red Star in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend. James Foley made a welcome return from injury on the substitutes' bench alongside Ryan O'Hare who also came back into the squad.

The first half was a slow burner, with very little to write home about.

On 12 minutes, Nathan Stainfield had a header on goal blocked away before Curtis Morrison's follow up also got the same treatment as the visitors enjoyed a lot of possession.

Stainfield later headed wide of the target from a left wing corner, while a Will Jones flick header across the face of the goal was the sum of Albion's efforts on goal in the opening 45 minutes.

The second half was more entertaining fayre, with Witton starting brightly and forcing a couple of key blocks from shots inside the Trinity penalty area.

The game was lit up on 61 minutes with Goulding's stunning goal. It came from a clever corner kick routine, straight from the training ground.

With the penalty area packed, anticipating a ball into the danger zone, Danny McKenna pulled the ball back to Goulding about 30 yards from goal. The former Altrincham man took a touch before smashing home a left-footed effort into the top corner of the net.

A fantastic strike, and an early contender for Goal of the Season already!

Gainsborough tried to get themselves back in the game in the final stages but were unable to break down a stubborn Albion defence.

Ashley Worsfold tested Chris Renshaw from 25 yards, but the Witton number one was equal to it, before Elliot Wilson found himself free at the back post but could only steer his effort into Renshaw's arms.

Will Jones had a header straight at Trinity 'keeper Joe Green before Kingsley James came agonisingly close to an equaliser as his shot took a wicked deflection and drifted just the wrong side of the post.

Albion maintain their 100% home record at the start of the 2019-20 campaign with three wins out of three, while the clean sheet made it four shutouts in a row and five in total, as the Witton backline once again stood firm.

Witton Albion: Renshaw; Byrne (Owens 66'), Short, Wardle (c), Anson, Goulding; McKenna, Smart, Lingouba (O'Hare 90+3'); Jones, Murray (Foley 86'). Subs not used: Sorensen, Hawley.

Gainsborough Trinity: Green; Topliss, Horton, Middleton, Maguire (Wilson 84'), Stainfield (c), James, Russell (Hannah 74'), Worsfold (Lichfield 63'), Allott, Morrison. Subs not used: Davie, Fielding.