Workington gained ground on NPL West leaders Marine with a 3-1 victory in the Cumbrian derby at Kendal Town.
For while the Reds were securing three vital points, leaders Marine were losing their own derby, 3-0 at home to Bootle.
It was a deserved win by second-placed Workington but they had to work hard to get themselves in front against a Kendal side fighting desperately to avoid the drop.
The Mintcakes couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the lead in just 65 seconds as they found an inviting gap through the middle of the Reds defence.
Acting manager Dave Woodruff felt that Reds’ expansive style might offer them such an opportunity and it proved the case as Scott McDonald went on to steer the ball past Danny Eccles.
But the lead lasted just four minutes when Reds won a corner and from skipper Conor Tinnions’s flag kick full-back Kyle Harrison rose highest to head powerfully home.
Although Reds enjoyed most of the possession, they were often let down by the poor quality of the final ball.
However, Tinnion almost got in after defensive mix-up and goalkeeper James McCleneghan had to make a brave block at the expense of a corner.
Kendal came nearest to regaining the lead right on half-time when Fleetwood loanee Akiel Raffie tried a snap shot from 30 yards with Eccles off his line and it was just over the top.
Workington increased the tempo on the re-start and continued to dominate possession, and it looked likely to be a long half for the hosts.
On 58 minutes Reds grabbed the lead. Steven Rigg got on the end of a low cross into the box and although his shot took a deflection into the bottom corner it was his goal.
The third Workington goal on 66 minutes was the best of the game. Conor Gaul worked a fine move down the right with Harrison and the full-back’s cross was headed powerfully down by Rigg with McCleneghan only able to help it into the net.
The home keeper made a couple of good stops later but right at the death Kendal should have reduced the arrears. The unmarked Gary Basterfield had a glorious opportunity from close range but snatched at his shot which ballooned over the bar.
The one consolation for Kendal was that a bumper crowd of 705 will have put some much-needed cash in the coffers.
