Workington Reds have three games to save their season and, while matters are still in their own hands, a five-team scrap has developed at the foot of the NPL’s Premier Division.
Blyth Spartans, Mickleover and Basford United have already been relegated and will be joined at Step 4 level next season by one of five, possibly six, candidates who are still battling to avoid the drop.
And conceding a sloppy goal less than two minutes into their game at Harrison Park didn’t help Reds’ cause as they fell to a 19th defeat of a frustrating season.
Taylor Bowen, who played for Workington last season, headed the match winner when Reds’ reshuffled defence failed to deal with a routine cross from the right.
And the early goal proved enough to rubber-stamp Leek’s status for next season – they will avoid relegation after looking in all sorts of trouble just a few months ago.
They have passed the 50-point mark and can enjoy their final three games without the worry that Reds, and others, have to deal with.
Connor Pani was Reds main threat in the opposition area but he headed one opportunity wide and then squandered a good chance to equalise near the end.
And it was from his well struck free-kick that the Cumbrians came closest to that elusive goal.
He got the ball past the defensive wall only for Xander Parke to pull off his only real save of the match. The home keeper also dealt with a Jamie Allen effort but Tom Stephenson and Ceiran Casson missed the target with other opportunities.
The hosts were the better side after the interval and Hayden Campbell had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside then missed a great opportunity when it looked easier to score.
And skipper for the day, Alex Mitchell, made his best save to thwart Ollie Shenton.
Reds now go into the Easter weekend facing two in-form sides, Prescot Cables (10th) visit Borough Park on Saturday before a trip to the North East and a fixture against Morpeth Town (7th) on the Monday.
