After a 4 2 home defeat by Runcorn, Workington had gone on an 11-match unbeaten run.
They avenged that defeat with a deserved 2-1 victory to extend that sequence which now includes six straight away wins.
But the game as an anticipated spectacle was always hampered by a difficult wind which caused problems throughout.
Runcorn had it with them in the first half and went closest when Dan Wordsworth had to head clear from under the bar after an Iwan Murray corner had caused a problem.
That had been the hosts best spell when three quick free-kicks, and two corners which followed, examined the resolute qualities of the Reds defence. But really keeper Jim Atkinson was not asked a question until late in the game.
In the first-half Dav Symington went closest for the League leaders with two efforts which were just wide. They also had a good shout for a penalty when Brad Hubbold went down in the box.
Workington were more dominant after the break and Connor Gaul saw a wind assisted cross drop onto the top of the net.
The best chance fell to Symington from Gaul’s clever pass but the top scorer fired tamely wide when it looked easier to score.
However on 69 minutes he made amends when he had a hand in the opener. Controlling Jim Atkinson’s long clearance he fed Ceiran Casson inside who played in Brad Hubbold to score with a low shot from 10 yards.
The second came on 86 minutes from a penalty after substitute Scott Fenwick had been taken down by keeper Scott Reed. Fenwick got up to beat Reed from the spot.
The 963 crowd (the Linnets’ best ever in the League) was given an exciting finish when full back Kane Dean fired home a great shot from just inside the area on 90 minutes.
The Cumbrians, however, held on comfortably to stay in pole position for the automatic promotion spots.
