Kyle May was made skipper for the night and lifted the trophy in what was his 511th, and final, game for Reds – a fitting end to a distinguished career.

It completed a notable double for manager, Derek Townsley, who won the trophy as a Reds player in 2007, yet he was quick to praise David Creighton’s side, who were worthy opponents and deserved their consolation goal.

“They stuck to their task and made life difficult for us, especially either side of half time, but we eventually crawled over the line and I’m pleased that our boys have some tangible reward after a long hard, season,” he said.

The 500 plus crowd was treated to some quality goals with the best a stunning Conor Tinnion effort which levered the tie back in Workington’s favour after a promising Aspatria purple patch.

Tinnion, with family links to Aspatria, was the game’s outstanding player and his goal capped a superb personal campaign.

The opening half hour had been a little too comfortable for Workington, who moved the ball about well without getting out of second gear. During that time, they established a two goal lead but became complacent and Aspatria finished the first half strongly and grew in stature for a period after the interval.

Anthony Wright had the first sight of goal but, his well struck twenty-yarder, was tipped over the bar by exciting goalkeeper prospect, Dan Swann.

Aspatria didn’t heed the warning because it was the same player who opened the scoring after twelve minutes. Wright eased past two defenders and sent the ball into Swann’s net with the minimum of fuss.

Reds doubled their lead nine minutes later, when a neat one-two between Matty Tymon and Gareth Arnison culminated in the latter cleverly lifting the ball over Swann for a deft finish.

Liam Studholme, given a starting place by Townsley for his loyalty over the season, almost made it three when he shot narrowly wide after an impressive ten pass build up. The senior side squandered four further opportunities – Arnison and Tymon both missed the target and Swann comfortably dealt with tame efforts from Josh Calvert and Tinnion.

Aspatria mounted their first attack after half an hour but it petered out when a blue shirt strayed offside. It injected some belief, though, and Darryl Creighton broke through soon after, cleverly dancing past two opponents only to miss the target by a distance.

The underdogs were first to threaten on the restart although Matthew Rudd and Sean Law were way off target with efforts from outside the box.

Tinnion’s first sortie into opposition territory in the second half saw him tripped, just inside the area by Malcolm Graham leaving referee, John Mulligan, with no option other than point to the spot. Arnison stepped up to take the penalty, but a well struck shot was superbly saved by Swann who is developing a phenomenal record of keeping out spot kicks.

Graham atoned for his penalty blunder by scoring Aspatria’s goal on the hour. May had conceded a free-kick, amidst some sloppy Reds’ defensive play on the edge of the area, and Law’s shot was fumbled by Jonny Jamieson before the alert Graham netted the loose ball.

But Aspatria couldn’t add to that goal which probably woke Reds from their slumbers.

Tinnion’s quick feet and close control took him away from two defenders and Swann was left helpless as the ball flashed past him, restoring Reds’ two goal advantage.

Tinnion then took the corner, from which Calvert saw a header hit the bar, but was then too ambitious with a thirty yard free kick which Swann saved comfortably.

Top scorer, Scott Allison, completed the scoring eight minutes from time when he cleverly passed the ball round Swann for a well taken goal, thus maintaining his record of netting in every round.

It was a brave effort from Aspatria, who just couldn’t match the quality of their higher-ranked opponents.

Aspatria: Swann, Rudd, Little (Prescott, 83), Graham, Irwin, Creighton, Law, Prior, Hudson, Iredale (Parnaby, 67), Jefferson (Messenger, 74). Substitutes – Laidlaw, Irving (not used).

Workington: Jamieson, Simpson, Smith, May, Calvert, Wright, Allison, Studholme (Newton, 67), Tymon (Wilson, 46), Arnison (McCartney, 61), Tinnion. Substitutes – Perry, Mitchell (not used).

Referee: John Mulligan, Carlisle

Attendance: 517