Another commendable performance on the road from relegation candidates, Workington, but another frustrating day for Billy Barr, his squad, club officials and supporters.
All parties would have accepted a draw against play-off contenders, Gainsborough Trinity, beforehand but, once again, Reds forfeited a winning position and had to settle for a point.
They were 3-0 ahead just after the hour mark but, somehow, conceded three goals in nine second half minutes and banked just one point when the three, that seemed to be in their grasp, were frittered away.
Well-taken goals form Daniel Ogwuru (14 minutes) and Kai Nugent (21) had put Reds in the driving seat, a position that was strengthened when Ogwuru converted a sixty-third minute penalty, awarded after a foul on debutant, Luke Hunter.
But the defensive frailties that have hampered progress all season surfaced again. They lost their composure for an anxiety ridden ten-minute period, a trait which is proving so costly.
And the two Trinity players who scored at Borough Park earlier in the season, Lewis Butroid and Frank Mulhern, turned the game on its head to salvage what seemed an unlikely draw.
Skipper Butroid (70) reduced the arrears before a Mulhern brace (74 and 78) punished vulnerable Reds.
Mulhern’s first took a cruel deflection off Jack Dickinson, wrong-footing Reds’ ‘keeper, Alex Mitchell, and his second was via the penalty spot after skipper Brad Carroll impeded Butroid.
But there should have been a third penalty towards the end of time added on.
Luke Ellis, who had a fine game for the visitors, broke through and looked a good bet to score a dramatic late winner until he was fouled by Ashley Jackson.
Everyone expected the referee to point to the spot for a third time but, instead, he shook his head and waved play-on.
That decision angered the normally placid Barr who was adamant the Leeds official had got it wrong.
“How did the referee and his assistant make the wrong call when even their players and staff said it should have been a penalty,” said Reds’ frustrated boss.
“Yes, we were three goals up then panicked a bit and conceded three, but to be denied that opportunity to win the game at the death is a tough one to take.”
Reds have drawn six of their last seven away games, the last three of which after not taking advantage of a winning position.
Next up is a visit from relegation rivals, Morpeth Town, on Saturday.
Hear Billy Barr’s verdict below:
