Workington’s winless run was stretched to seven games when they were knocked out of the FA Cup at Borough Park.
Stalybridge Celtic’s 3-2 win in the first qualifying round was their second successive victory over a former Football League side.
Having disposed of Bury after a replay they knocked-out Workington in an entertaining tie which really hinged on their two goals inside the first 20 minutes.
As in their previous three home games, Reds showed plenty of spirit and battling qualities but the vital ingredient of quality was missing.
Liam Tongue, an experienced, influential figure in midfield for Celtic epitomised what Reds are lacking in their present squad at Borough Park.
Tongue had a hand in a fine team goal which gave Celtic the lead on 12 minutes.
A fine pass inside Keelan Leslie from Brandon Newell found the overlapping Tongue and an inviting low cross that was fizzed across the six yard box brought the goal.
Bennie Smales-Braithwaite was first there and didn’t get a touch but Jack Irlam was also there coming in at the back and he drilled home the opener.
Irlam, in fact, had only been down to play as a substitute but a warm-up back injury for ex-Reds forward Ruben Jerome saw him revert to the bench changing places with the goal-scorer.
Six minutes later Reds were 2-0 behind. A completely different type of goal this time, a viciously struck free kick from 25 yards by Smailes-Braithwaite which clipped a post on its way into the net.
Reds had plenty of energy, with young Luke Ellis again outstanding, and forced eight corners in the half – but they were all well defended by the visitors.
Apart from corners, Reds rarely looked a threat and the nearest they came to upsetting keeper Charlie Monks was from a familiar source.
Skipper Dav Symington hit a 25 yard free-kick, which just clipped the Celtic wall and caused it to dip quickly so that Monks did well to turn it over the bar.
It was Symington who did threaten a Workington fightback with a goal on 51 minutes.
Some neat build-up play ended with Symington doing well to find space in the Celtic area before thumping his shot past the helpless Monks.
Any thoughts of Reds going through with that fightback were dispelled six minutes later when the visitors scored a third.
Some slack defending handed the initiative to Stalybridge and another low cross was thumped home by Ellis Horan.
Reds battled hard to get back into the contest – Symington crashed one of his specials against the woodwork and nine minutes from the end Steven Rigg headed home.
But the best they could do after that was a shot from substitute Tom Stephenson which hit the side netting.
Manager Darren Edmondson returns on Monday and doubtless will be increasing his efforts to bring in some experience to help his promising, but struggling youngsters.
