It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t the best they’ve played but it was a win to move Workington into the top half of the NPL Premier League.
They beat Lancaster City 2-1 to leapfrog the Dolly Blues up to ninth and only two points off the play-offs.
Manager Danny Grainger accepted his side had won ugly, putting bodies on the line as City had more possession than their hosts.
“We were poor in possession for some reason but good out of it and the lads all worked really hard for that result.
“I did think we had the better chances for all that and Jim only had a couple of real saves to make.
“But I know what I have in that dressing room. I have lads who care and although we have played a lot better on many occasions we battled through for the result,” he said.
Reds probably played their best football in the opening 20 minutes and in that spell took the lead.
A clever build-up unlocked the Lancaster defence and although keeper Andre Mendes blocked Steve Rigg’s first effort the centre-forward was able to follow-up and poke home for his third goal in the last three matches.
But it was Lancaster, passing thr ball well, who took charge before half-time. Atkinson had to go down low by his post to turn away an overhead kick from Charlie Bailey.
Then when a looping head from Dom Lawson seemed to be creeping in the Reds keeper managed to turn it onto the bar and then to safety.
Workington started the second-half then better and Dav Symington was twice thwarted by Mendes after rampaging down the left. The first was spectacularly turned over the bar by Mendes and the second was blocked by his legs.
But Symington got his reward in the 60th minute when he thumped one home from just inside the area after Lancaster had been opened up down the left.
Lancaster had a lot of possession in the closing stages but they could not break through until the third minute of the five added on.
Former Carlisle and Barrow defender, playing his 699th game of football in his 40th year was at the far post to steer home a corner.
But Reds held on for the points and the only worry at the end were two injuries – to Aidy Roxburgh early on and to Symington late on.
Grainger was already considering changes for Saturday’s home game with FC United of Manchester because apart from these two several players were feeling knocks, bumps and bruises afterwards.
Rigg, Wallbank, Niall Brookwell, Sam Smith and Dan Wordsworth were outstanding for Reds in what was essentially a hard-working team performance.
