Workington had to come from behind to maintain their unbeaten run at Hanley United.
They trailed to an 11th minute opener – an unfortunate own goal – but two typical Dav Symington strikes had Reds in front by the interval.
It stayed that way to the finish as Danny Grainger’s men were unable to control the game as they had in the first-half, without seriously being threatened by their hosts.
This was Reds’ first-ever visit to Hanley – one of the famous Potteries towns – and it didn’t look as if it was going to be a particularly memorable one in the early stages.
As expected with the home side under new management – boss Ryan Shotton on the field and his assistant Ben Chapman on the touchline – they came out of the traps quickly and enthusiastically.
After 11 minutes they grabbed the lead. Reece Jones, who was to prove their liveliest forward, got clear on the right and his hard driven cross was unfortunately put past a stranded Jim Atkinson by centre-back Dan Wordsworth as he tried to get across to block.
They could have doubled that lead soon afterwards when Joel Stair climbed first to reach a corner but his header from short range was directed well wide.
From that point, however, Workington gradually began to take control of the game, settling into their passing rhythm and starting to dominate possession.
They got level on 29 minutes when Symington worked himself into a shooting position and fired one of his exocets into the bottom corner beyond the sprawling Kieran Harrison.
Soon after Symington produced a fine free-kick from just outside the area but with Harrison beaten the ball rebounded to safety off the post.
But he wasn’t to be denied and showed why Grainger brought him straight back in after missing last week’s win over Runcorn Linnets.
Some calm and patient play brought Reds second on 42 minutes. After several passes the ball was played in to Symington in a similar position to his first goal – and another drilled effort produced the same result.
In the second half Hanley saw more of the ball but there were no serious alarms for Reds until late on.
Danny Glover had a shot from close range deflected over the bar and Stair, again, got first to a corner but he headed wide.
Reds did have opportunities themselves in the second half. Substitute Bobby Carroll had a shot well turned aside by Harrison but the home keeper saved his best effort for later.
Steve Rigg climbed high to reach a corner and Harrison did really well to stretch and turn his strong header over the bar.
In the end Reds saw it through and sit in fifth (join third on points) but just four points behind leaders and title favourites Macclesfield who lost again at home.
