Workington had to endure more stoppage time agony at Broadhurst Park after conceding a 95th minute equaliser to one of the title favourites, FC United of Manchester.
Reds had reached the later stages of the game with a two-goal advantage but the hosts staged a dramatic recovery to salvage a point.
It finished in a 2-2 draw but only after FC United had reduced the arrears with a late goal in the 87th minute, before Jordan Buckley restored parity in the last few seconds of a pulsating game.
It extending Workington’s winless run to 10 matches, although they have drawn six of those.
After a goalless first half, Reds were in dreamland after scoring through Josh Galloway and Dan Hopper but, once Matty Grivosti reduced the arrears, it seemed inevitable that the hosts would produce a dramatic finish.
Kai Nugent had gone close to opening the scoring in the first half but Dan Atherton fingertipped his shot over the bar and Andre Wisdom responded at the other end with a header which rebounded off the crossbar.
Skipper Steven Rigg then had a weak shot saved by Atherton, a better effort blocked before heading over from a corner as Reds finished the first half strongly.
Ruben Grewal dragged an early second half chance wide before Galloway opened the scoring four minutes after the restart.
His deep cross from the right caught Atherton off his line and the ball sailed over the keeper and came to the rest in the net.
It was a welcome change of fortune for Reds but their run of bad luck returned soon after. Tom Stephenson broke through on a clear run at goal but pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury.
He was replaced by Dan Hopper and the substitute did double Reds’ advantage with his third goal of his productive loan spell.
Isaac Whitehall’s shot from distance was parried by Atherton but Hopper reacted superbly to convert the loose ball with a stunning finish in the 70th minute.
Grivosti, a threat throughout, narrowly missed the target with one effort, hit the upright with another then, eventually, equalised with a fine low strike to give the hosts a lifeline.
And like the Manchester United teams of old, they kept going and salvaged a draw with Buckley’s acrobatic overhead kick, breaking Workington hearts in the process.
“I’m really gutted for them after such a fantastic effort and that win is proving elusive, but we have to stick with it,” was Billy Barr’s reaction after the game.
“I’m proud of them but some of the play we produced was outstanding and that’s against the best team I have come up against during my tenure.”
FC United finished the day in second position, a win would have taken them top, but Reds, who are without a game on Saturday, remain bottom although are unbeaten in their three outings this year.
Hear Billy Barr’s verdict below:
