THERE was elation for Vauxhall Motors as Josh Quarless’ 47th minute strike at Witton Albion saw Danny Holmes' side move to just one point from the summit of the Northern Premier League Division One West.

It was a quiet first ten minutes for both sides as they tentatively traded jabs looking to settle into the match. The Motors controlled most of the possession but struggled to break down a determined Witton Albion defence.

The games first big chance fell for Witton as a quick counter saw James Hooper’s cross from the right flank won by Elliot Rokka. Under pressure from Vita Mbolokele, Rokka was the first to the header but his attempt to turn it goalward just missed the back post.

A quiet first half for both sides ended with Witton beginning to come alive as they found a groove with quick one touch passing and triangles which seemed a struggle for the Vauxhall midfield to contain.

A flashpoint occurred when Jack Atkinson came far out of his box to look to play a ball but he was brought down cynically by James Hooper. The number nine earned a first booking for his troubles.

Quarless looked to cause danger before the break as he flicked on a header to Connor Rankin. The striker looked across goal and tried to square into the path of an arriving teammate, but the defensive block would be the final action as the half time whistle was blown and both managers would return to the changing room searching for ideas to break down a stubborn defence.

It would be Holmes who would find that answer as Vauxhall struck first.  Jawad Jebrin's low corner forced Danny Roberts into action knocking it onto the crossbar before a goal line scramble ensued and Quarless would be the man to take control as he smashed home a bouncing ball into the bottom right corner scoring on his first start. 

Witton responded almost immediately with a scramble of their own which saw a shot glance across the face of goal and out for a goal kick much to the delight of a rooted Atkinson.

On the 67th minute it was Quarless once more with powerful free kick just outside the area is smashed goalward stinging Roberts’ palms, but the Witton defender was the first to meet the rebound and no danger followed.

He refused to settle though, and it was him again causing more issues as this time he looked to send home another corner this time delivered by Ben Holmes, but his headed effort clipped the top of the bar.

Connor Rankin finally looked to reap the benefits of his tireless running with 15 to go as he was slipped through by Quarless and smashed his shot low into the bottom left but Roberts refused to be beaten again.

Kevin Ellison tried to get in on the act after being brought on for Jebrin and it was almost a super speedy impact with the veteran soon bearing down on goal but a good save from the initial effort fell back into the striker’s path but there were shadows of Saturday's frustrations as the rebound glanced over the bar.

A stubborn and determined performance by the Motors back line refused to afford the home side another chance in the final ten minutes as they brought home a second clean sheet of the season ensuring a huge victory over a side so close in the table.

All attention now will be focused on a second away game in a week this time at Stafford Rangers on Saturday.