In a game spoiled by the windy conditions, but which nevertheless produced enough excitement, Workington held off Ilkeston’s challenge to win 2-1.
It was an important victory – a fourth in a row from all competitions – but was a second successive league win to help hoist them to 13th in the table.
It won’t have escaped the notice of manager Mark Fell that Reds are now five points off the play-offs – but also five points away from the drop zone.
Although the football wasn’t great in the conditions, there were plenty of opportunities in both goalmouths.
In the end it was down to Reds man of the moment Steven Rigg, with an identical double strike inside two minutes, which halted Ilkeston’s charge up the table after they had taken the lead.
It was the second week in a row that Rigg had notched a double and he is enjoying a golden run of form, making him a key component in how Reds set up.
He had gone closest to giving his side the lead with a scoop for goal while on the ground but Matt Yates stuck out an arm to deflect to safety.
But it was Ilkeston who took the lead on 27 minutes. After both he and Harvey Kirkby-Moore had shot over from good positions it was Tom Cursons who fired home the opener. Home defender Steve Swinglehurst misjudged a high ball in the wind and Cursons was left with a run in on goal which he completed with a clinical finish.
But then Rigg struck with two goals in as many minutes – both almost identical in execution and position on the pitch.
Swinglehurst found him with a long ball and from an angle on the edge of the area he saw Yates off his line and a delicate chip found the bottom corner.
One minute later and Ilkeston were caught again. Same ball, same control from Rigg and same finish over the stranded Yates.
In the second-half Workington had to dig in at times, Swinglehursts scrambled one off the line and Ilkestom had a goal disallowed for a clear foul on Mitchell.
But Rigg could have had his hat-trick late on only to be denied this time by Yates.
Reds don’t play again until Saturday when they visit Hyde, their first look at a 3G pitch this season and then on the following Tuesday they are at Stockton for a second successive away game.
When they return to Borough Park on October 26 it will be for the FA Trophy tie against Bamber Bridge.
Hear Mark Fell’s thoughts about the game below:
