Tired Boro slip to home loss

After the game there was some positive news in that Harrogate Railway can no longer reach their current points total, but that followed a tired performance which presented the travelling Witton side with a quick-fire double over Steve Kittrick's men.

There was some upheaval prior to kick off, as Boro brought in young Halifax keeper Max Dearnley in place of Rory Skelton, while Joe Lamplough and Eddy Birch also grabbed starting roles.

Birch was unlucky not to give Boro an early lead when he found a gap in the box and drove just over the bar.

Ryan Blott then teased a delightful ball onto the toe of Birch, but the danger was cleared by the alert Witton defenders.

After looking assured in the open moments, Dearnley had a nightmare few seconds, handing Witton with an 11th-minute lead.

The stopper spilled a tame shot from the edge of the box and striker Rob Hopley gobbled up the pieces from close range.

Boro then demonstrated the character that has returned to their list of traits in recent weeks, by grabbing a nigh-on instant reply.

Jamie Forrester showed bags of composure when inside the Witton box, side-stepping his man and then lashing home with his weaker right foot.

But another error followed soon after and Witton were gifted their second goal of the afternoon.

Steve Mallory allowed the ball to bounced and Alex Tichener nipped in to comfortably lob Dearnley from the edge of the box.

Things could have been worse ahead of the half-time team-talk, as Daniel Andrews was given far too much time on the edge of the Boro six-yard box. He managed to get a shot away, but it hit the bar when it seemed easier to hit the back of the net.

The Boro bench were forced into an early alteration when the second half got underway, Dean Lisles went off with a groin injury and Nathan Peat came on.

Witton showed more threat when Dearnley was forced into a superb double save, but on the hour mark they struck the killer blow.

The Boro defence absolutely vanished and Hopley gleefully ran through to dink over a stranded Dearnley and make it 3-1.

This seemed to give Boro some spark, as Blott drilled just over and then wasted a great chance when hitting Ryan Neild's legs when played through on the Witton keeper.

They were given some hope when sub Glenn Matthews headed home a Steve Mallory corner with nine minutes to go.

But the big push that the subdued home support may have expected never came.

All Boro had to show in the final few minutes was a penalty shout after Jamie Price was manhandled in the box, but referee Mr Heward said a firm no.