Workington Reds slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Hyde United because of a crazy spell just before half-time.
Steve Rigg missed a golden opportunity to put Reds in front and then in the next three minutes the Tigers scored twice to take a grip on the game.
Although Workington continued to create opportunities they couldn’t take any and Hyde eased through to the win and sixth win in a row.
They are now unbeaten in their last 14 games and firmly engtrenched in the play-off positions.
Ignoring the County Cup games the Reds have only one win in their last 13 games – but the vast majority have been draws (nine).
In fact manager Danny Grainger said after this defeat at Hyde that his side have very much been “the nearly men this season.”
“If Riggy had taken that chance it’s a different game, but it’s made worser by the fact that they go down the other end and score twice inside three minutes.
“I’ve criticised our back four for mistakes they have made to contribute to our defeats, or only being able to draw, but I have to highlight the attack this time.
“We had real opportunities to score in both halves, and I’m not talking about half chances. If they had been taken we are talking a different result.
“Hyde are a very good side and you can’t allow them to get off the hook by missing chances like that.
“We’ve had a good talk in the dressing room and I know we will be working hard on Tuesday and Thursday, and go again on Saturday looking to put things right,” said Grainger.
Former Carlisle United forward Lewis Alessandra (43) and Jack Redshaw (45 + 1) scored the Hyde goals.
In the meantime Grainger has two injuries to consider – Bobby Carroll (hamstring) and Jordan Little (back) – before the next game at home to Bradford PA.
The Yorkshire side had a very good 3-2 win at promotion-chasing Warrington Rylands yesterday.
They are still seven points from safety in the relegation zone and some 17 points behind the Reds who stay 13th.
