REPORT | Witton Albion 2-1 Widnes

Dale Korie-Butler netted his first goal in a Widnes shirt but it wasn’t enough as the Whites exited the Integro Cup at the first round stage, beaten 2-1 at Witton Albion.

Two goals in two first half minutes from Matty Devine and Will Jones ultimately ensured victory for Carl Macauley’s men, despite a spirited performance from a Widnes side that were perhaps unfortunate to be beaten away at higher-league opposition.

Joint-bosses Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey made six changes to the side that beat Glossop North End on Saturday. Peter Doran made his debut while Bram Johnstone and Korie-Butler were handed recalls. Elsewhere, Sam Sheen returned from suspension with Akrigg making his first appearance of the season at the heart of the Widnes defence.

Sean Myler captained his hometown club on his return from a five-month injury lay-off in the absence of suspended captain Kev Pollard and the injured Mike Burke.

Torrential rain battered Wincham Park from the opening kick-off, with both sides eager to take advantage of the zippy surface early on.

Ex-Everton trainee Delial Brewster squandered an early opportunity for Witton as he lashed a volley wide before Widnes’ Sheen stung the gloves of Greg Hall from distance with a powerful effort.

Widnes were enjoying their fair share of possession when George Webster blazed over but the hosts took a 21st minute lead against the run of play.

With their first real attack, Devine skipped inside unchallenged from the left, rounding Mottram and coolly slotting into an empty net to give Albion the lead.

Two minutes later, Witton added a second. Widnes lost possession cheaply in midfield and the hosts quickly worked the ball through to Jones who lifted a well-taken effort beyond Mottram and in.

Widnes found themselves 2-0 down despite a positive showing in the opening half-hour. A well-worked move from the visitors saw Sheen combine with Chris Lomax who squared a cross into the area finding Jamie Rainford but he could only fire over after superbly flicking the ball over his marker.

Rainford was again involved moments later, driving forward for Widnes with the loose ball breaking to Korie-Butler who had an effort blocked.

Mottram had to be alert minutes later to push a Devine piledriver away to safety before Sheen had the ball in the net for Widnes from a corner only for it to be chalked off as Rainford was penalised for the slightest infringement on keeper Hall.

On the stroke of half-time, Brewster forced a solid save out of Mottram but Widnes continued to carry a threat with Doran testing Hall with a deflected effort, who did well to quickly re-adjust to make a really good save.

With the rain continuing to pour, referee Stuart Morland carried out a pitch inspection at the interval with the tie seemingly in doubt before allowing the second half to get underway with conditions continuing to be monitored.

Widnes flew out of the blocks following the restart and quickly halved the hosts’ advantage. Sheen was superb in the build-up, driving forward to neatly release Korie-Butler in-behind who netted his first goal since arriving from Ashton Athletic in the summer, slotting beneath Hall.

The visitors enjoyed a positive spell as the hour-mark approached but the enforced substitution of Sheen after the midfielder was on the receiving end of an accidental James Foley elbow seemed to disrupt Widnes’ fluency.

A very wet playing surface led to the game petering out as a contest, although Widnes very nearly took the game to penalties late on, but Doran was unable to pounce after Hall fumbled Myler’s cross.

Widnes now face a run of three consecutive away games, travelling to Colwyn Bay and Leek Town in league action before ending the month at Droylsden in the FA Trophy.