Workington Reds crashed back to earth last night after scaling the heights with Saturday’s superb 5-0 win over Ashton United.
The Reds travelled to Morpeth Town and were beaten 3-0 in a disappointing follow-up.
Danny Grainger’s men had finished their pre-season programme with three successive victories at Whitley Bay, Ashington and Dunston.
But the return to the North East didn’t allow that winning run to continue as an effective, capable Morpeth side deserved their success.
Grainger said: “I think sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Morpeth are a good team, and they showed it, while maybe be were about 10 per cent off it tonight.
“I think that’s what we’re going to find in this league. There are going to be no easy games and we just have to get back into our stride on Saturday at Ilkeston.”
Grainger made two changes from the win over Ashton with concerns over both Dan Wordsworth and Sam Smith so Steven Rigg and Fin Wallbank formed a new central defensive partnership.
There was little indication of what was to play out, for in the first 20 minutes Workington did create opportunities.
Conor Tinnion had found the side netting with a free-kick and Kofi Moore fired over the top when given a shooting opportunity from 16 yards.
Moore also hit the target minutes later but veteran keeper Dan Lowson was able to save at the second attempt.
Morpeth, who moved the ball quickly when in possession, and were keen to get the ball wide had looked lively going forward, and they took the lead on 21 minutes.
Workington did not effectively clear a right-wing corner and from the edge of the area Andrew Johnson crashed a shot through a crowded goalmouth into the net.
Morpeth edged what was left of the first-half and right on the break added a second when Reds failed to clear and Johnson knocked in his second.
Grainger reacted by making two changes at half-time with Brad Hubbold and Keelan Leslie replacing Bobby Carroll and Matty Bell.
The almost pulled one back when Lowson came out swiftly to block a shot from Dav Symington. Then soon after Symington crashed one of his thunderbolts against the bar.
It was pretty even until the 71st minute when Morpeth added a third. Sam Hodgson tried his luck from 30 yards and although a dipping shot was touched by Jim Atkinson he couldn’t keep it out.
Although Reds hit the bar again from Scott Allison they rarely looked like salvaging anything from what was proving a flat night for Grainger, his team and their supporters.
