Holders Workington were given a thorough test by a battling Gosforth side before reaching the second round of the Fred Conway County Cup.
Reds had to wait until the 79th minute to score the only goal of the game through Harry Watson.
It had been a defiant display from the County League side who appeared to be heading for extra time.
But Watson was on the end of a square ball into the box and he finished perfectly to win the tie.
Reds could have increased their advantage in stoppage time when Watson was tripped in the box but skipper Dav Symington smashed the spot kick against the bar.
Symington was the only senior player included in the line-up, apart from goalkeeper Danny Eccles who was playing his second game after recovering from a broken leg.
Matty Bell and Connor Hammill, both younger members of the first team squad started, in which was basically a Development side.
Ian Studholme, the former Windscale keeper, was good for Gosforth while opposite number Eccles had his best moment making a double save to deny Macaulay Sharp and Robbie Bagley.
Reds will now play away to Dearham United in the second round unless the opposition agree to play mid-week under the Borough Park floodlights.
