Workington Reds manager Billy Barr got the reaction he was looking for after Tuesday’s poor show against Guiseley.
It was chalk and cheese, and a bit unfortunate not to gain the three points which would have boosted their survival aims.
A 1-1 home draw with form team Warrington Town was a commendable effort on paper and in real time it was encouraging, if not quite good enough to claim the win.
The biggest compliment anyone could pay Reds after this game would be to suggest any neutrals in the crowd would have picked out Workington as the team with six wins out of the last seven and not bottom of the table.
It was a much improved performance from the Cumbrians after a substandard display in mid-week when they had lost 1-0 at home to Guiseley.
Particularly in the first half they dominated possession and territory, but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
Dav Symington had two daisy cutter shots from distance which were easily taken by Liam Isherwood and then the keeper had to stretch to hold onto a decent effort by Kai Nugent.
Warrington hadn’t threatened Danny Eccles’ goal in the first half but took the lead on 48 minutes when Max Thompson flicked home a clever header from a whipped ball into the box.
It was a setback a few weeks ago that would have been fatal but Barr’s side have, at least, got back a degree of fighting qualities that enables them to stay in games.
They had come from 3-1 to draw last week at Rushall and this time it took just eight minutes to get back on terms.
Symington, who had just asked to be subbed, picked up a cleared corner on the right hand edge of the area and a well struck, low shot found the bottom left-half corner. He made his exit immediately but had salvaged a point.
Both sides had their moments late on and the visitors had a shot blocked in the six yard box after a goalmouth scramble.
But Workington were closest to winning it when a snap drive from Josh Galloway, after he was found free on the edge of the box, clipped the top of the bar en-route to the terraces.
With others around them winning, a draw was perhaps small comfort on the day, but if the team continues to show this vigorous, front foot attitude for the rest of the season they can definitely climb the table.
It was a proper team performance, with numerous positive performances but once again Jordan Little and Tyler Magliore were excellent in the heart of the defence; Hayden Atkinson was strong and purposeful switched to mid-field while Kai Nugent was busy and lively throughout.
In the end, though, it was the return of Symington from suspension who clinched what could prove to be a crucial point – and a turning point in the season.
This is what Billy Barr thought of the game:
