Albion manager Carl Macauley named an unchanged side after the 3-1 win over league leaders South Shields on Saturday. New signing, striker Kyle Sambor, was named among the substitutes.

The home side enjoyed the best of the first half and could consider themselves unlucky not to have gone in at the break with an advantage.

MJ Monaghan had an early opportunity within the opening ten minutes, trying to round Ashton goalkeeper Jon Worsnop only for the shot-stopper to deny him, diving at his feet.

Then the woodwork was struck, Josh Wardle going agonisingly close after getting on the end of an excellent cross by Luke Wall. Wardle's swivel and strike came back out off the inside of the post before United cleared their lines.

Monaghan had a shot deflected wide before Ashton had a good chance of their own on 31 minutes, Liam Tomsett finding himself in a bit of space inside the penalty area but he sent a shot high over the bar.

Witton hit the post again with the next attack. A beautifully weighted pass by Will Jones set Connor Heath through on goal. The on-loan Crewe man went around the goalkeeper but he saw his effort hit the outside of the post.

There were opportunities to the visitors as the half drew to a close, Chris Renshaw saving well to deny Lewis Walters while Josh Wilson headed over, as the sides went in at half time with the score goalless.

Witton were forced into their first change at the break, James Short withdrawn after picking up a knock to his ankle early on, with Tom Owens coming on in his place.

United had the better of possession in the second half, but failed to make that count in front of goal, as the Albion defence stood firm.

Kyle Sambor came on for his debut to replace Will Jones after 56 minutes and looked lively in his first outing in a Witton shirt.

Wall continued to cause the Ashton defence problems down the Albion left and his pull back was almost diverted into his own net by Chris Rowney, the ball drifting agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

Albion's final change saw Jack Byrne, on his 18th birthday, replace Monaghan with Cesaire Lingouba moving into a more familiar midfield role.

On 74 minutes, the visitors came within a lick of paint from opening the scoring as they struck the woodwork themselves. Substitute Aaron Smith cutting in from the left and seeing a 20-yard effort bounce out of play off the top of the crossbar.

Sambor created a few problems down Witton's right and a good run almost resulted in a goal as his dangerous cross flew across the face of goal.

Deep into stoppage time, Albion struck their winner. A cross into the box was only half cleared, the ball falling at the feet of Lingouba who struck a fine low effort into the bottom corner of the net.

That gave Carl Macauley's side their second home win in the space of four days, not to mention a seventh clean sheet of the season.

Next up for Albion is a trip to Buxton on Saturday.

Witton Albion: 1 Chris Renshaw, 2 Cesaire Lingouba, 3 James Short (Tom Owens 46'), 4 Josh Wardle, 5 Adam Anson, 6 Liam Goulding, 7 Danny McKenna, 8 MJ Monaghan (Jack Byrne 68'), 9 Connor Heath, 10 Will Jones (Kyle Sambor 56'), 11 Luke Wall.
Subs not used: 14 Stefan Sorensen, 17 Ryan Neild.

Ashton United: 1 Jon Worsnop, 2 John Lufudo, 3 Nicky Clee, 4 Gianluca Havern, 5 Jonathan Hunt, 6 Chris Rowney , 7 Casian Anghel (Aaron Smith 67'), 8 Florian Gonzalez (Sam Sheridan 72'), 9 Liam Tomsett, 10 Josh Wilson, 11 Lewis Walters (Steven Tames 56').
Subs not used: 14 Thomas Field, 16 Jordan Slew.