Workington were back in draw mode at Borough Park when the New Year’s Day clash with Bamber Bridge finished all square at 2-2.
But like the fans, manager Danny Grainger was particularly disappointed at the fact that Reds had blown a 2-0 lead.
“Whichever way you look at it that was two points lost. We were in control but again didn’t defend well enough and mistakes cost us.
“It’s happened too often and we all have to take accountability, myself included. We are too easy to play against at times,” he said.
Skipper Dav Symington had smashed Reds into that two goal lead in 53 minutes but the defensive frailties which have let them down all season surfaced again.
They have the second worst defensive record in the League and hopes of a rare clean sheet evaporated with a 63rd minute penalty.
Seven minutes later more mayhem at the back let in Bamber Bridge for the equaliser and what had started as a dominant performance finished as a rather timid conclusion.
The opening goal came after an important stop from Jim Atkinson on 23 minutes.
Centre-half and captain Macauley Wilson was forward after a corner and he whipped in a stunning strike from 25 yards which the home keeper somehow stopped with a punch.
From that clearance Workington got the ball forward to Symington who was left one-on-one with the last defender.
Although forced wide he got enough past him to fire in a shot across the diving James Pranic and into the far corner.
His second on 53 minutes was an audacious hit from a 35 yard free-kick. There was never any question he wasn’t going to try his luck and sure enough he found the top corner with the keeper stranded.
Symington could have had a hat-trick, too. He was just wide with a diving header on the end of a Kitt Nelson cross and then slipped through by Steven Rigg could only hit the trailing leg of the keeper.
All pretty good so far but then Workington imploded. Young defender Connor Pani, who hadn’t put a foot wrong, played a ball back to Atkinson which fell short. He tried to retrieve the situation but tripped Ewan Bange in the process.
It might have been a straight red but he was shown a yellow, but from the subsequent spot kick Bange sent Atkinson the wrong way.
Bamber Bridge were revived, dominated the game for a spell and drew level seven minutes later. Workington were cut open and although the initial shot from Harry Scarborough came back off the post substitute Danny Forbes was able to force home.
There was some late pressure from Reds, forcing a series of corners but to no avail and they had to settle for a point when three looked to be on offer.
