REPORT | Witton Albion 2-1 Widnes

Ex-Widnes forward Connor Hughes condemned his former side to a defeat on Saturday as he struck in the 94th minute to give Witton Albion all three points.

The Whites had led until the 80th minute through Jack McGowan’s first goal for the club but Lee Jackson levelled to set up a tense finish.

And Hughes’ introduction off the bench proved decisive when he fired home a winner inside second half stoppage time just moments after MJ Monaghan spurned a chance to win it for Widnes.

Michael Ellison’s side had chances to extend their lead too and will be disappointed not to have ended their winless run that now stretches to six games in all competitions.

Widnes made five changes to the side that lost to Newcastle Town last time out, with Kris Holt, Louis Isherwood and Monaghan dropping to the bench.

Tom Stephens and the injured Matt Van Wyk weren’t involved while McGowan, Will Bell, Steven Irwin and Sean Miller all earned recalls.

There was a place too for new addition Sam Grimshaw, who has joined on loan from Macclesfield until January.

Witton made the better start of the two sides and Joe Mason had to be alert to produce a good save to deny Jack Sherratt after 19 minutes.

But Widnes grew into the contest and were denied an opener by the crossbar when James Steele’s deflected cross rattled the woodwork before bouncing away to safety.

They were perhaps second best on the overall balance of play in the opening half-hour but the Whites notched themselves in front with a well-worked goal.

It was debutant Grimshaw who supplied the cross for McGowan to smuggle over the line ahead of goalkeeper Harry Wright to score his first in a Widnes shirt.

The goal comes as a welcomed boost for McGowan and it proved the catalyst for the striker producing his best performance since his arrival from Bootle.

Widnes had opportunities to take the game away from their opponents but a combination of keeper Wright and profligacy kept their lead at 1-0.

The Witton custodian, son of former England international Richard, produced a terrific save to deny Steele after the break while McGowan dipped an effort wide on the hour.

Witton responded with a double change, introducing Hughes and Joe Mwasile while Ellison reacted by switching to a back-three, with Isherwood brought on for Miller.

But it was Widnes who went close again when McGowan dragged an effort across the face of goal and wide under heavy pressure from Cameron Fogerty.

Albion’s striker Tom Pope cut a frustrated figure for most of the contest but he had more joy once the presence of Hughes forced Widnes’ backline deeper.

He had a goal ruled out for offside 15 minutes from time as Jon Macken’s host upped the tempo in search of an equaliser.

But they had their goalkeeper to thank once again when Wright’s strong glove pushed Matty Rain’s side-footed effort away to safety moments after Pope thought he’d levelled it.

Witton did muster an equaliser 10 minutes from time.

Widnes threw their bodies on the line to block two shots in the area from a corner but third time was the charm for Albion as Jackson drove one home from the edge of the box.

This set up a tense finish and Ellison looked to freshen things up as Monaghan came on for the industrious Steele.

And that substitution really should have proven to be a match-winning one.

Widnes produced a really good, passing move in the third minute of five added one at the end of the half and Jay Roberts cross sat up kindly for Monaghan.

He brought the ball under control, rolled his defender but somehow, with the goal gaping, Wright stuck out a foot to block the shot and Widnes’ final opportunity went begging.

Witton would ultimately win it about 90 seconds later.

Widnes could only half clear a corner and Hughes volleyed in from the penalty spot to send Wincham Park into raptures.