In the end Workington fell short, missing out on the NPL West title and having to settle for a play-off place.
Reds have only themselves to blame, however, for not sealing the title as Bootle did their bit by earning a draw at Warrington Rylands.
All that Workington needed to do was find two goals in 70 minutes to beat the League’s bottom side who had conceded 115 goals in their previous 37 games and picked-up just 11 points.
But Reds, who have largely struggled to find consistent form over the last six weeks, could only find a single goal seven minutes from the end to take home a point and concede the championship to Rylands.
Assistant coach Steven Rudd was presented with the runners-up trophy at the end but it was virtually a cheerless occasion with Workington players slumped in disappointment around the field.
They now have to pick themselves up for Tuesday night when they will entertain Marine in the play-off semi-final at Borough Park.
Marine, will be equally in need of a lift as they lost 2-0 on Easter Monday at Bootle and finished with a 3-1 home defeat to Leek Town. They did beat Reds 2-1 last Saturday.
Manager Chris Willcock was hugely disappointed and said: “It’s heartbreaking and I feel so sorry for all the people connected with the club like the supporters and officials.
“With no disrespect to Market Drayton it was embarrassing that we couldn’t beat them and the players have let themselves down big style. It isn’t every day you get the chance to be champions and we couldn’t do it.
“We should have been going home as champions and instead we have to pick ourselves up for a big game against Marin on Tuesday.”
It was a game Reds dominated from start to finish against the worst defence in the League yet couldn’t find a finish until seven minutes from the end.
During the course of the game Conor Tinnion saw one kicked-off the line; Brad Carroll hit the bar; home keeper Ashley Rawlins made some good saves and generally the Market Drayton defence showed a stubbornness to block and challenge anything that was delivered into their box.
They offered little attacking threat but took the one real opportunity that came their way after 19 minutes. Brad Hubbold was dispossessed midway inside his own half and Angelo Franco lifted the ball over an advanced Jim Atkinson into the net.
Workington forced 15 corners during the course of the game and it was from one that they eventually got level through Reuben Jerome.
With word having reached the players that Rylands were being held the efforts for a winner became more frantic and in the end they couldn’t manage a serious effort in the time that remained.
