A 2-1 defeat on Tyneside last night halted Workington’s mini-revival and it was another late goal which contributed to their downfall.
Hebburn substitute Kai Charlton netted the 89th minute winner, albeit via the aid of a wicked deflection.
His effort from the edge of the area may well have been saved by Reds’ keeper, Alex Mitchell, but the ball struck Charlie Barnes and ended up in the net.
It completed a late comeback for the hosts who had trailed to Steven Rigg’s 17th minute opener.
Reds had deservedly gone in front after a bright opening which also saw David Symington and Luke Ellis thwarted by two important saves from Harrison Bond.
Hebburn levelled matters after 27 minutes when Campbell Darcy capitalised on a Mitchell handling error to turn and finish in one sweet movement.
Apart from a well-struck Sharif Deans effort in the second half, Reds couldn’t get their act together in the final third and spent most of the later stages defending their own box.
It looked as though Reds’ brave rearguard action would be rewarded with a point until Charlton’s late decider.
“The late goal is tough to take for the players as our goalkeeper would have gathered the ball comfortably had it not been for the deflection,” bemoaned Reds’ boss, Darren Edmondson.
“But our ball retention was not as good as it has been in recent matches and their midfield department were stronger than us in the later stages.
“We are not too negative, overall, and will work on the positives and hope to eradicate some aspects of the game I was not happy with before the weekend.”
With four players left at home because of injury, the manager handed a Northern Premier League debut to Dan Hopper, son of former Workington captain, the late Tony.
The teenager has joined Reds on loan from Carlisle United and played for Edmondson at Penrith last season.
Young Hopper should feature in Workington’s next outing at Borough Park on Saturday when Prescot Cables travel to Cumbria.
Hear Darren Edmondson’s thoughts below:
