A patched-up Workington side slipped out of the FA Cup after a battling performance in their replay at Marine.
The Reds, who had travelled without four first-teamers and a fifth on the bench nursing an injury, went down 2-1 to an extra-time winner from their former midfielder David Lynch.
Ruben Jerome was an unused sub on a bench that included three teenagers a second goalkeeper.
Two of the youngsters – Aidan Howarth and Carl Lightfoot – came on in extra time and according to manager Chris Willcock “did themselves proud.”
Willcock said: “It was a tremendous effort from the team, showing great endeavour and commitment. We were in control for long periods of the game but just couldn’t come up with the finishing.
“I certainly take a lot of heart from the performance going into the rest of the season.”
Niall Cummins, who had missed Saturday’s tie through suspension was back in the Marine line-up and he gave them the lead after only seven minutes. The hosts had started well and Neil Kengni hit the bar.
Reds gradually got a foothold in the game and after Brad Carroll saw a header cleared off the line Scott Allison fired over from eight yards.
The equaliser came on 59 minutes from a spectacular strike by Nico Evangelinos and there looked to be only one winner from that point. Conor Tinnion had a shot blocked on the line and Allison brought a good save out of the keeper.
It wouldn’t go in, though, and it proved costly when Lynch, a second-half substitute, fired home the winner right at the end of the first period of extra time. Despite a lot of late pressure Reds were unable to take it to penalties.
The two teams meet for the third time in a week when Marine are back at Borough Park on Saturday in the league.
