Workington’s mini unbeaten run of three successive draws was ended by NPL Premier Division leaders Hebburn Town at Borough Park.
A 17th minute penalty from Gary Martin was enough to keep Hebburn top of the pile and Reds still floundering at the bottom.
It was a spirited and energetic display from Billy Barr’s men but in some ways it was the poorest performance at home under his watch.
The passing wasn’t as crisp and accurate as it has been and when good positions were created the final ball persistently let them down.
Apart from the first minute the Hebbon keeper Daniel Cameron was not tested at all, yet if Reds had taken that opportunity the game might have panned out different.
New recruit Daniel Ogwuru was sent clear and as he tried to take the ball round Cameron the keeper managed to stick out a foot and direct the ball away from goal and it was cleared.
Not that opposite number Alex Mitchell was much more involved. A couple of good catches and a shot straight at him in the first half while a smart second half block saw the rebound driven home but the flag was already up for offside.
Hebburn were not a flashy, footballing side but extremely efficient in what they did – strong at the back, prepared to defend in numbers and ready to break quickly.
Reds had gone into the game without Barr’s three previous signings Tyler Magliore and Isaac Whitehall, along with the returning Brad Carroll.
Magliore is to have a medical on Monday with a League One side as he returns to the Football League; Whitehall was working and Carroll was completing a four match suspension.
On top of the news that Dav Symington is to have an operation and won’t play again this season, there was little good news for the fans, who once again backed the team where it counts – through the turnstiles.
Bottom of the league but with the third best average crowd, is quite a remarkable stat and another 802 crowd yesterday emphasised how the supporters are willing Reds to avoid the drop.
Barr will continue to look for new players and admitted after this one that it was the first time he had a go at the team after a game.
“That wasn’t what we’ve been showing in recent games and it was very disappointing. We have to do much better than that,” he said.
As for the penalty, it was a strange one. People get used to all kinds of pulling, shoving and holding at all corners in televised higher level games – and it goes unpunished.
On this occasion the corner was dealt with but a Hebburn player was on the ground, without anyone seriously appealing but referee Ryan Aldred was pointing straight to the spot. Apparently he had spotted some pulling back.
In the Premier League he would have a field day.
Hear Billy Barr’s verdict below:
