Three second-half goals secured Workington a home win after a draw and two defeats at Borough Park had checked their title charge.
Relegation-threatened Hanley, on their longest away trip ever, had set up to defend deep and look to break.
There were few opportunities for either side in a quiet, low key first-half when both keepers were not tested.
The tactics almost paid off for Hanley when Kyle Blake got in behind the home defence and Jake Twyford just failed to reach his low cross.
There was a similar half chance at the other end when Dav Symington’s hard-hot low cross hit a Hanley defender and just flew beyond the far post,
Young Kai Nugent had Workington’s best chance in the first half when he shot over the top but there was no real action for either keeper in the first half.
Hanley’s Dale Eves made the best save of the game to keep out a fierce free kick from Dav Symington early in the second-half.
It was substitute Lewis Reilly who broke the deadlock on 59 minutes shortly after coming on, when he finished from close range.
Workington needed a second goal for security and it was Reuben Jerome who thumped home the second on 82 minutes.
His first effort had been blocked by a defender, prompting a hand-ball shout, and when the rebound fell to the home striker he powered home a strong shot.
It was Reilly who was there again in the fifth minute of time added on to steer in Steven Rigg’s pull-back.
It had been a sweeping move from Reds with teenager Nugent also involved, capping another promising display from the enthusiastic youngster.
