Workington Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat when they continued their pre-season build-up at Berwick Rangers this afternoon.
Reds had started the game well and had opportunities while Berwick were better in the 20 minutes before half-time.
There was a dramatic spell just before and after half-time with a penalty awarded to each side – and both missed.
Reuben Jerome saw his effort saved by the home keeper on 45 minutes and immediately on the re-start a Berwick trialist had his spot-kick saved by Jim Atkinson.
The opening goal of the game came on 63 minutes and was a beautifully placed free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards by Scott-Taylor McKenzie.
Berwick made certain of the win two minutes from the end with an excellent finish from one of their trialists.
Reds acting manager Steven Rudd said: “It was another good work-out despite the result. We got minutes into our senior players which will do them good and overall it was a very even game.
“If there was a criticism it was we didn’t create enough opportunities during the times we were on top.
“We had seven players missing so you have to take that into account and I expect four of them to be available on Tuesday for the home game with Morecambe.”
Rudd gave a debut to 17-year-old centre-half Tom Skinner, a pupil at Wigton Thomlinson School where he teaches.
“I was really pleased because he was very solid, particularly in the first half and the experience will have done him a lot of good. He will be involved on Tuesday and Saturday against Carlisle,” said Rudd.
