Ten man Reds hold out for victory

His well taken goal on the hour, a neat side foot finish at the far post via Dav Symington’s inch perfect cross, gave Reds a boost just after they had been reduced to ten men. Conor Tinnion inexplicably kicked Billy Smart and could have no argument over the third dismissal of his Workington career.

Reds immediately shuffled the pack, introduced Waterston and nipped any potential Marine comeback in the bud.

Waterston’s goal established a two goal cushion after Peter Wylie’s unfortunate own goal had given Reds a third minute advantage. That proved an unassailable lead for a Marine side that dominated for long spells yet seemed to lack the belief to go on and win it.

A Danny Mitchley goal, a well taken shot from just inside the area after good play on the right, reduced the arrears but Reds saw the game out surviving a string of corners in the process.

Mitchley, introduced to the game the same time as Waterston, had earlier forced Aaran Taylor into a routine save whose only other exertion was to deal with a first half header from Smart.

George Lomax was allowed to progress a little too easily through the inside right channel but he chipped the ball wide of the target as Taylor advanced off his line, squandering Marine’s best chance.

After being gifted that early goal, Reds seemed reluctant to cash in on their good fortune. A Sam Smith header rattled the cross bar but Dan Wordsworth had already been penalised for pushing his marker in attempting to meet Jake Simpson’s corner.

Jordan Holt saw a decent effort saved by Ben Barnes’ legs and, from the follow-up, Jack Egan missed the target.

Holt’s surging run took him deep into Marine territory early in the second half but he lifted the ball onto the Town End terraces.

Tinnion’s red card soon after changed the mindset with Reds concentrating more on protecting what they had rather adding to it. Yet they got that vital second goal just five minutes later thanks to the Symington/Waterston combination.

It was a collective effort in the second half with the ten men showing plenty of character to emerge with the points. Marine, meanwhile, continued their long winless sequence but will start collecting points once they show more ruthlessness in front of goal.

A relieved David Hewson said afterwards, “Sometimes you have to win ugly and that’s what we did tonight.”

Workington Taylor, Simpson, Smith, Wordsworth, Calvert, Earl (Wright, 46), Symington, Holt, Allison, Egan (Waterston, 54), Tinnion. Substitutes – Joel, Douglas, Mellen (not used).

Marine Barnes, Freeland, Short, Hughes, Wylie, Smart, Murray, Brewster (Mitchley, 54), Bailey, Lomax G, Edgar (Lomax C, 70). Substitutes – Strickland, Bradshaw, Mendes (not used).

Referee Stephen Dial, Gateshead

Bookings: Wordsworth, Allison (Workington)

Red card: Tinnion (Workington)

Attendance 341