Workington’s splendid eight match unbeaten run was ended by bottom club Atherton Collieries.
Reds went down 4-3 after being 3-0 behind in just over half an hour.
Although Danny Grainger’s men got it back to 3-2 at half-time, a fourth Atherton goal on 74 minutes gave the Cumbrians too much to do.
Dav Symington, not fully fit, had started on the bench and he came on after 57 minutes – pulling one back for his side in the 90th minute.
Workington’s vulnerability at set-pieces cost them again with Atherton scoring in the second minute from a corner through Enoch Lusiame.
Josh Solomon Davies doubled the home lead on 13 minutes and Jordan Scanlon made it 3-0 after 32 minutes.
But Reds responded before the break with Scott Allison (37) and Greg McCarragher (39) threatening a big recovery.
However it was Scanlon again who netted next for Atherton and Symington’s late strike wasn’t enough.
Afterwards Grainger said: “I’m disappointed and frustrated because we had enough chances to win the game. Their keeper turned in a man of the match performance.
“But after how far we’ve come after that Marske defeat I see it as a speed bump on the road. We will reset and be ready to go against Bamber Bridge on New Year’s Day.”
Reds went into the game with eight players missing while Grainger had to go on the bench with Symington, second keeper Danny Eccles and two youngsters.
