Workington Reds produced a top performance to see off Clitheroe 2-0 and secure their place in the NPL West play-off final.
There was an added bonus, too, as Runcorn Linnets won 3-1 at Leek Town so Reds will stage Saturday’s final.
A terrific crowd of 1,665 saw a fiercely contested semi-final which matched Reds passing football against the more direct approach from the visitors.
There were few clear-cut chances for either side with both defences showing resolute qualities, and probably the best opportunity fell to Clitheroe.
Good feet by Marc Pugh, cutting into the area set up Callum Harris but from a good position he blazed wide.
When the breakthrough arrived there was controversy about the 30th minute penalty award which put Reds in front.
Scott Allison went down in the box and referee Lewis Griffiths saw enough in it to award the spot kick despite howls of protest from the Clitheroe players.
Skipper Conor Tinnion stepped up and calmly produced a Penenka-type finish with keeper Chris Thompson ending-up almost down by his right-hand post.
Tinnion, one of the influential players left out by manager Danny Grainger on Saturday, prompted Reds from his deep role in midfield and was one of the stars of the night.
But Grainger was well served throughout the side with Steven Rigg earning more praise for again stepping in for the injured Sam Smith at the heart of the defence alongside the impressive Dan Wordsworth.
Another of the team’s senior brigade – Allison – worked tirelessly throughout and as Grainger said afterwards there wasn’t a weak link in the side.
Clitheroe did produce more of a controlled build-up in the second-half when it wasn’t just a case of lumping it up to Sewftyon Gonzalez.
Their best effort was a 25-yard rocket from Richard Baker which was brilliantly saved by Jim Atkinson with a flying leap across his line to fist away.
Workington still looked the more dangerous side, however, but on three occasions the final ball let them down after getting into good positions.
They also had two good shouts for penalties – stronger than the one they were given – but a hand-ball and a push on Dav Symington were ignored by the referee.
The goal that Reds needed to enjoy a two goal cushion came on 74 minutes when Symington finished off from close range after Clitheroe had got themselves in trouble at the back.
There was only one real opportunity for Clitheroe to get back into it just ahead of the five minutes of added time, but Atkinson blocked an angled shot from Gonzales.
Indeed Reds almost grabbed a third before the end but substitute Lewis Reilly saw his shot from the edge of the area turned round by a diving Thompson.
Afterwards Grainger said: “I’m very proud of how the team performed. There wasn’t anybody off the pace and although it was a hard game, against a good Clitheroe side, I thought we deserved the win.
“This is a great group who needed no second asking to train on Sunday after we had played on Saturday.
“We will train on Thursday, have a look and assess Runcorn and what they are about and go again on Saturday.”
