For the second game in a row Workington Reds left it late to grab a winning goal and maintain their NPL West title push.
The five minutes of added time had just been signalled when Kyle Harrison swooped to drill in the winner against a spirited Ramsbottom side.
Once again it was not a breath-taking performance by the Cumbrians, more a battling display on an uneven pitch which demonstrated their ability to find a way.
Tom Stewart, the Rammy keeper did not have a shot to save until the 75th minute when he did well to get down and keep out an effort from Steve Rigg.
To be fair neither did Jim Atkinson, although the hosts had gone closer to opening the scoring before Harrison’s late strike sealed it for the Reds.
Officially timed at 91 minutes the goal came after a strong run from substitute Reuben Jerome, cutting in from the left. The ball went to the right before Rigg worked it back into the danger area and it was Harrison who was there to drive in a shot from six yards.
Ramsbottom had a great opportunity to win the game deep into the 90 when the lively Billy Hasler-Cregg broke and squared intelligently to Jack Grimshaw, coming late down the middle. He was clear, but from five yards outside the area with only Atkinson ahead he b lazed a shot woefully wide.
Generally Workington had defended well right across the back four, especially when the hosts had a glut of corners where they did look dangerous from skipper Tom Kennedy’s deliveries.
Once Khalil Osi-Efa got on the end of a far post header only to head over the bar and on another occasion former Reds loanee Godwin Abadake got to the ball first but headed it down where it bounced over the bar.
Reds, despite plenty of hard work around the pitch, could not find the quality needed to fashion chances – until that stoppage time opportunity.
The win was made even better with the news that rivals Marine had lost 2-0 at home to Clitheroe and Reds were up to second – two points behind Warrington Rylands with two games in hand.
Those two games will be made up on Tuesday, April 5 at Bootle and on Saturday, April 16 at Marine when Rylands don’t have a game. Reds destiny remains in their own hands.
