Two Preston goals in the last five minutes denied the Reds Ladies from receiving the rewards of their efforts at the UCLan Sports Arena on Sunday.
The Workington side had delivered their best performance of the season but were pipped 4-3 by their hosts.
The first half was evenly contested with both teams playing some really good football.
The Reds could have taken the lead in the 38th minute when EMI Rudd found herself in space on the edge of the area. Showing great composure she shifted the ball to find space and was unlucky to see her strike narrowly pass the Preston post.
It was Preston that inflicted the first blow in the 42nd minute when their striker, Madison Hadley, rounded the Reds Keeper Laura Miller, before finding the back of the net.
Their lead didn’t last long as the Ladies hit back within two minutes to draw level. Left Back Hannah Fawkes, showed great composure to find Hannah Ridgewell centrally, who then fed forward to the lively Morgan McGrady on the left.
McGrady took charge and set herself for a strike on goal and found the left corner of the net, as the half finished all square and with everything still to play for.
After 55 minutes, the Reds went ahead thanks to a sublime strike from midfielder Keeley Holliday, who beat the Preston Keeper, Justine Elliot, from 25 yards out having linked well with Rudd in the build-up.
Preston levelled after 73 minutes when Hadley found herself in space in the area and fired past Miller for her second of the afternoon.
The Reds went ahead again in the 85th minute when Linzi Donaldson linked with Chloe Henderson who then fed Hannah Geen on the left. Having broken the Preston back line, Geen adjusted her feet and clinically finished to find the far right corner.
As the game entered the last five minutes, Preston, who have desires on winning the league, pushed forward and threw everything at the visitors.
They levelled with 3 minutes remaining when Hadley claimed her hat trick and cruelly took the lead in the last 30 seconds when Beth Wilson found the back of the net from close range.
Laura Miller was awarded the Player of the Game for her commanding performance in the Reds goal.
After the game, Manager Paul Mackenzie said: “The team was awesome as each of the 15 players contributed to what was arguably our best performance of the season against a very good Preston team.
“They showed great character and were desperately unlucky to finish the game without any rewards for their efforts.
“As a manager of a club that is precariously close to the relegation zone, it’s obvious I wanted the three points today and with five minutes to go I thought we had them. But more importantly, I wanted the win for the team and the reward for their efforts on the day. I feel their hurt and disappointment with the game finishing the way it did.
“This has been a tough season for them and the demands on the players have been massive, especially over the last threemonths playing away from home 12 times in 13 games.
“The performance showed how deep these ladies will dig to represent themselves and each other in the best possible way. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them and I am immensely proud of them.”
The Reds Ladies have four games left to play this season, all of which are at home. They play Carlisle United Ladies this weekend at Derwent Park on Sunday and following the game there will be live entertainment from local band Solomon in the Fan Zone.
Mackenzie added: “It’s a bank holiday this weekend and it would be great to see football supporters at the game and enjoying the entertainment after it.
“The club has worked tremendously hard over the season and the hospitality shown by Workington Town has been immense. It would be great to see the sport fans of the town at Derwent Park on Sunday joining us to create a memorable day for both ourselves and Workington Town RLFC.”
