Workington again failed to hit top form at home to Colne but they did enough to earn three more precious points.
A first-half penalty and a second goal from a corner four minutes from time were enough to give Reds the 2-0 win.
It kept them on the heels of Warrington Rylands ahead of next Saturday’s likely title shoot-out at Borough Park.
In between times Reds would close to within a point ahead of the big game if they win a catch-up game at Bootle on Tuesday
It wasn’t a smooth performance from the Cumbrians, but they got there in the end and with another clean sheet.
Colne had started well, forcing six corners in the opening six minutes and Tommy Lent brought a full length save out of home keeper Jim Atkinson.
But really that was the only serious work of the game for Atkinson as Workington defended with their customary determination.
The decisive moment in the first half came after 32 minutes when Ruben Jerome blocked a clearance from keeper Hakan Burton.
When Jerome chased after the rebound he was brought down by Burton who faced the inevitable red card.
Goalkeeping coach Daniel Thorpe took over and his first job was to pick the ball out of the net from Dav Symington’s penalty.
The second half was virtually all played in the Colne half.
Brad Carroll hit the bar and Thorpe managed a scrambled save to deny the outstanding Jerome.
Then, clever footwork from Jerome presented a chance for Steven Rigg but his shot was blocked at close range.
Breathing space finally arrived on 86 minutes from a deep corner which was headed back into the mix by Sam Smith and Carroll headed home.
Carroll could have had a second before the end but Thorpe made a fine goal-line block to deny him.
