> 6.4.2007

7

Hednesford's season is rapidly untangling, as their play-off dreams are in severe danger of collapsing after high-flying Witton snatched a late, late win at Keys Park this afternoon. This afternoon's defeat leaves the Pitmen outside the top five for the first time since August, and current form does not make for comfortable reading for manager Phil Starbuck

In came Mario Pedro and Ross Adams, with Gary Sucharewycz out due to suspension and Darren Alexander dropped to the bench

The Pitmen started well, as they had done a few weeks previously at Witton, with keeper Jon Kennedy having to deal with an Iain Screaton throw that caused chaos in the first minute of the game

Chris White was first to really test the Witton defence, collecting a Screaton throw and hitting a powerful shot just wide from twenty yards out on eight minutes

Despite their early promise, the home side could have found themselves a goal down four minutes later, when Mike Moseley picked up a loose ball from Jon Douglas, forcing Lee Soar to make a last-ditch tackle as the Witton man beared down on goal

Witton now had their tails up, and the dangerous Adam Warlow almost gave them the lead on the half hour. A cross from Mark Peer found Warlow in the box, with his shot coming back off the post. The rebound was picked up by Ross Clegg, who found Young in the way of his effort

Moseley should have given the title-chasers the lead a minute before the break, but missed his kick horribly as the ball fell to him in front of goal, much to the amusement of the Keys Park crowd

There was better stuff from the hosts after the break, no doubt geed up by manager Starbuck. Iain Screaton played Pedro in early on, but he wasted his chance by firing wide. Danny Bacon also missed the target from a good position two minutes later 

Bacon was guilty of a poor miss on the hour, collecting Phil Hadland's free kick in the area, but leaning back and clearing the crossbar from a good position

Tom Marshall almost got the Pitmen's noses in front but his header was well saved by Kennedy with ten minutes remaining. Substitute Dave Whittaker also tested the Witton keeper's reflexes a minute later with a stooping header that the stopper got down low to hold

Just when it looked as though both sides were settling for a point - disaster. In added time, a Clegg free kick found Warlow, who laid the ball into the path of Peers, who darted around the sprawling Young and tapped home from close range

A real kick in the teeth for all of the Pitmen's good work, but the sad reality is that the Pitmen are out oft the play-off positions, and have a mountain to climb to get back in at this late stage in the season  cds

Prescot Cables (A)

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Whittaker

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Alexander

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