Workington Reds bounced back to winning ways with a fine 3-1 win at promotion rivals Runcorn Linnets.
It’s been a crazy few weeks for Danny Grainger’s men as they have won at three of the top five – Leek, Mossley and Runcorn – yet drawn at home with bottom side Ramsbottom and lost to seventh bottom Bootle.
Indeed Workington’s fine away form has seen them win 10 times with two draws and only two defeats – compared to seven home wins, four draws and three defeats.
Manager Danny Grainger said: “I thought the boys were terrific against a very good side. We started so well and dominated the first half when it could have been more than 2-0 at the break.
“We restricted them to very few opportunities and although their goal late on could have created a problem we had enough about us to go at them and score a third to wrap-up the points.”
Workington had the wind in the first-half and it was skipper Conor Tinnion who gave them the lead on 16 minutes – direct from a corner.
The second on 23 minutes was a gem. Some lovely build-up play and finally young Kai Nugent set up Scott Allison to fire home.
Tinnion had a couple of opportunities to add to the Workington lead but was just wide.
Runcorn saw more of the ball in the second-half than they had been but Reds defended well with Dan Wordsworth and Sam Smith commanding figures.
Lewis Reilly, on as a sub for Nugent, had the ball in the net for Reds from a through ball by Bobby Carroll but the flag was raised.
It was the 89th minute when Runcorn gave themselves some late hope when Ryan Brooke fired home.
But Reds responded almost immediately as Ruben Jerome, also on as a sub, fired home off the underside of the bar.
Grainger, delighted with three more points to end the blip in results, said: “I have always believed that if this group of players perform as they can I feel we are more than a match for anyone in the League.”
