Two former Workington Reds players scored on their return to Borough Park to give Lancaster City a 2-1 win over the Cumbrians.
Niall Cowperthwaite headed in a free kick from Sam Bailey after 34 minutes and 12 minutes from time Rob Wilson scored from the spot after Dan Wordsworth had caught Joel Mills in the face with a high boot.
But new Workington boss Chris Willcock, although disappointed with the goals that cost the game found plenty of positives in the way his team had played for long periods.
It was their inability to take good chances which cost them as Dave Symington shot just wide after being put through by Steve Rigg and Reuben Jerome had a close range shot saved by City keeper Sam Aston.
Workington had levelled on 65 minutes when Sam Smith headed a Conor Tinnion corner back across goal for Rigg to score with a clever header.
Willcock said: “There was a lot to be pleased about, particularly the way we played in the first-half.
“We could have been ahead at the break, and once again it’s been about us not taking our opportunities.
“The other disappointing aspect was that we conceded from a free kick when our marking wasn’t good enough and gave away a penalty late in the game when we seemed to be running out of energy.
“We have to manage games better at that stage.
“I think our fitness levels are short of where we should be with the season just a fortnight away.
“But overall I was pleased for the main part in how we played against a team from a higher level and if we can be sharper in the opposition box we will beat teams in our League.”
