A superb performance from Workington Reds saw them win 3-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic to go second in the NPL West Division.
It was a remarkable effort from Danny Grainger’s men as they had Charlie Birch sent off for a penalty award that put Kidsgrove ahead after 36 minutes.
The red card was shown for hand ball and Aaron Bott fired into the bottom corner from the spot kick.
Yet despite the handicap Reds were level before the break and dominated the second-half, scoring twice to win the three points.
The win was even more valuable at the final whistle when word came through that Leek Town had lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle Town.
Reds are now second, two points better off than Leek and both have two games left to play.
It had been against the run of play when Kidsgrove had gone in front from the penalty spot.
Despite going down to 10 men Reds continued to dominate and in first-half added time they drew level.
Brad Hubbold squared the ball and young Lewis Moore, on his first start, saw his shot blocked but flew up nicely for Ruben Jerome to head home.
It was Jerome who put Reds in front after 58 minutes from the penalty spot. Hubbold was brought down in the area and Jerome sent the home keeper the wrong way to give his side the lead.
Dav Symington, four goal hero from Saturday, came off the bench to replace young Moore and could immediately have scored.
Kai Nugent pulled the ball back; Jerome let it run on and Symington fired wide when everyone was expecting the net to bulge.
Symington and Nugent both had efforts well off target but Stephen Rigg tested the keeper with a downward header which he did well to block.
But it was Rigg who scored the vital third goal on 76 minutes with a well placed header – and Reds were able to see it through.
There was much to feel satisfied in from this performance – winning with ten men, but also with a team which had seven changes from the side which beat Witton Albion on Saturday.
