Workington Reds lost for the second game in a row when they went out of the FA Trophy at Borough Park.
A tie that often looked as though it could go to penalties was, in fact, settled by a spot-kick for Dunston after 55 minutes. Tricky winger Liam Thear was brought down by Donae Lawrence and Terry Galbraith made no mistake.
Both teams were under-strength through injuries, particularly the hosts, and manager Chris Wilcock filled gaps with three teenagers, of which centre-back Tom Skinner had an excellent introduction to senior football.
It was a game of limited opportunities with Reds best move of the first-half ending with a superb goal-saving tackle from Ursene Mouanda in the six yard box as Charlie Bowman moved in for the kill.
Dunston’s best chance in the first half fell to skipper Michael Pearson when he escaped the attentions of two defenders in the box but saw his curling effort parried away by home keeper Danny Eccles.
Matty Clark cleared a Sado Djalo header off the line and in the second-half a fine diving stop by Eccles to deny Thear was as close as Dunston came to adding to their lead.
Workington never really threatened Dunston keeper Liam Connell, although two fine crosses from substitute Rowan Roache deserved to have someone on the end of them.
Reds boss Chris Willcock said: “It was frustrating, particularly in the second-half when we didn’t pose them enough problems. We didn’t create anywhere enough chances.
“But on the positive side we got more minutes into players who have been out through injury and come Saturday I expect to have a headache -but the right sort – in picking the team.”
