Foley penalty gives Albion a point at Warrington Town

Witton Albion picked up a point from a Boxing Day local derby with Warrington Town at Cantilever Park.

It was a game both sides could have won with chances for both sides, but in the end, they had to settle with a point apiece after two first half strikes.

Albion boss Carl Macauley recalled James Foley into the starting XI while recent loan signing Danny Mitchley began up front.

The early running was done by the home side as they could and, probably, should have taken the lead inside five minutes.

First Jack Dunn and then Tony Gray missed gilt edged chances from close range, both sending the ball over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Dunn tested Chris Renshaw but the Albion goalkeeper was equal to it, while at the other end, Tom Owens had a shot from distance saved by Town custodian Tony McMillan.

Warrington did open the scoring on 19 minutes. A high ball into the Witton box was spilled by Renshaw, and after a couple of attempts on goal, the ball fell nicely for Mark Roberts to fire into an unguarded net from close range.

The lead lasted just three minutes, however, as Albion fought straight back. Isaac Baldwin was brought down inside the penalty area and up stepped James Foley to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and net his first goal of the season.

Both goalkeepers were called into action as the half went on, Renshaw doing really well to deny Gray when through one-on-one with McMillan at the other end making a good stop from a Tom Owens effort from outside the box.

Liam Goulding was withdrawn from the action just before half time to be replaced by MJ Monaghan as the sides went in at the break level.

Witton started the second half the stronger and looked the most likely to get the next goal.

Foley tried his luck from 20 yards but his piledriver of an effort went narrowly over the crossbar, before Monaghan saw his shot saved by McMillan.

The tide began to turn in the home team's favour later in the game, though, and Renshaw and the Witton defence had to be at their best to keep out a lively Warrington strikeforce.

The Albion number one expertly tipped over from a Gray header from point blank range, before parrying another effort from the Town forward as the hosts pushed for a winner.

They had the ball in the net twice, but on both occasions, the goals were ruled out for offside.

There was a goalmouth scramble in the Albion box, while Renshaw made a smart save from a shot from distance to keep the score at 1-1.

In the dying stages, Witton could have won it. Will Jones forced McMillan into an excellent save deep into stoppage time, as both teams had to settle for a point in their quest to climb the table and push for the play-offs.

Albion are next in action on New Year's Day with a home fixture against Nantwich Town, kick-off 3:00pm.

Witton Albion: Renshaw; Baldwin, Short, Wardle, Anson, Goulding (Monaghan 45'), Foley, Lingouba, Jones, Mitchley (Sambor 75'), Owens.
Subs not used: McKenna, Neild.