Mark Fell, Workington’s new manager in waiting, watched Reds lose 1-0 in a dismal game at struggling Stafford.
Fell is taking every opportunity to watch the Reds in action until he officially takes over after Danny Grainger’s final game on April 27.
The performance at Stafford, against a side battling to stay in the NPL Premier Division, will have posed more questions than answers.
It was Stafford’s second successive victory, following one over Bamber Bridge but they are still three points from safety with five games to play.
The only goal of the game came on 28 minutes after Reds efforts to clear their box had failed, leaving the Stafford manager’s son Sean Cooke with a simple tap-in.
Yet Workington did feel they should have had the lead earlier when a long-ranger effort from Sam Hetherington embarrassed Cameron Belford and although the home keeper scooped the ball clear several felt it had crossed the line.
To be fair the pitch wasn’t in the best of conditions and didn’t help either side produce fluent football.
Despite late pressure Reds couldn’t fashion an equaliser and Hetherington had the best chance but shot wide from an unmarked position in the box.
Reds go again tomorrow when they entertain another of the relegation contenders Atherton Collieries, who are the team most in trouble.
Bobby Carroll has completed his suspension and will be back in contention while Grainger will have to assess a couple of players who took knocks at Stafford.
