Workington ushered in the New Year with another less than convincing performance in the North East as their winless sequence stretched to five games.
And apart from a bright 20-minute spell in the first half, they flattered to deceive in this latest setback.
The Premier Division is so tight this season that only two points separates Workington in 13th position and the relegation zone.
But Reds are now looking over their shoulders as they go into 2025 with more concern about the lower half of the table than aspirations of a top 10 finish.
Manager Mark Fell believes the team is playing well, and performances have certainly been better recently yet, once again, he is having to contemplate adding to a squad which was strong before Christmas but has again been decimated by departures and injuries.
He confirmed afterwards that the injured David Norris and Josh Galloway will face a spell on the sidelines whilst Theo Farquharson and Ruben Grewal had gone to trial with clubs elsewhere. Amadou Doumbouya had also left the club.
That left him with a threadbare squad for the trip to Hebburn with a goalkeeper and four inexperienced teenagers his only options on the bench.
The club has served a seven-day notice of approach to a National North Club for two players but there will be no movement on that front before Saturday’s testing home fixture versus in-form Guiseley.
Hebburn, who have had a brilliant first season at Step 3, were awarded a penalty just four minutes into the game when Steven Rigg was adjudged to have tripped Joao Pedro Gomes Carrington.
And Workington might have sensed a bit of justice when Hebburn skipper, Amar Purewal, blasted his spot-kick out of the ground.
Buoyed by the penalty reprieve, Reds settled and took the lead with a fine goal in the ninth minute.
Matty Clark and Kai Nugent worked the ball diagonally through to Tom Stephenson down the inside left channel and the youngster showed great composure as he advanced towards Kieran Hunter, then calmly slotted the ball past the ‘keeper for a memorable maiden goal for the club.
But Reds started to lose their tentative grip on the game and, gradually, the hosts fought their way back into contention with Liam Noble emerging as the stand-out performer.
He took control of matters and deserved his man-of-the-match billing, displaying the inspiration Workington clearly lacked.
They were back on terms in the 34th minute and Purewal atoned for his penalty miss by netting the equaliser, finding yards of space at the far post to convert with ease.
And it was Noble who steered his side ahead with a fine finish a minute or so before the interval scoring a great team goal.
The visitors should, have restored parity almost immediately when a promising move down the left found Jamie Allen unmarked and onside at the far post. But he got caught in two minds and didn’t know whether to take a touch or guide the ball home into the vacant net and, in the end, did neither.
The game was end-to-end in the second half with the hosts missing some gilt-edged chances and Alex Mitchell too often called upon as the last line of defence.
Reds were more laboured going forward and the final ball wasn’t as crisp as it should have been.
They still had chances, though, although attempts from Allen, Stephenson, Rigg, Dav Symington and Lucas Wane hardly troubled Hunter in the home goal.
And any doubt about the outcome was resolved six minutes before the end of normal time when Town substitute Paul Van Zandvliet scored Hebburn’s third to secure the three points and condemn Reds to an 11th loss of the season.
