Having been nominated NPL Premier Division Manager of the Month for February, Billy Barr avoided the curse that often strikes after such accolades are announced.
He started March by extending the unbeaten run to six matches with a stubborn 1-1 draw in Yorkshire against mid-table Guiseley.
Reds remain at the foot of the table, though, despite an impressive sequence of just one defeat in ten outings, by virtue of Morpeth Town’s late equaliser at Stocksbridge Park Steels.
But there were no significant changes as the bottom six clubs, including Reds, all drew.
Reds had to rely on their stubborn character and new found resilience to obtain what could be a precious point after a performance that didn’t match recent away days. They lacked cohesion in the middle and final third and possession, and ball retention, was poor.
Yet they got their noses in front after just six minutes when Dan Hopper converted his fifth goal of a productive loan spell.
There didn’t seem to be much danger when Steven Rigg hooked the ball into the Guiseley area but Hopper reacted first to benefit from a hesitant defence.
Guiseley responded with a spell of dominance which saw Jordan Thewlis lift one effort over the bar then being awarded a penalty and, finally, having a goal disallowed.
Thewlis’ penalty, awarded for a foul by Jordan Little on Jack Emmett, was saved by Alex Mitchell and then Thewlis had a goal disallowed for offside.
After a shaky start, despite Hopper’s goal, Reds recovered but had to work hard without seeing much of the ball.
They improved after the break but Hopper squandered a half chance which could have doubled their lead.
Guiseley were awarded a second penalty when Little was punished again for an apparent foul on Elliot Owen. Thewlis made amends for his first half miss by confidently hammering home Guiseley’s equaliser.
Rigg sent a free kick narrowly wide and Thewlis was denied by a fine Mitchell block, before Tom Stephenson headed a late Workington chance over the bar.
Manager Barr confirmed that talisman Rigg had played his final game of the season, prior to an operation, while Dav Symington would be available sporadically, after an injection, before he too goes for an operation.
On the positive side, the manager was able to give game time to Jake Allan, Keelan Leslie and Stephenson all of whom haven’t featured in recent weeks.
Next up, is a crucial home game versus Stocksbridge Park Steels next Saturday with the Sheffield outfit currently one point better off than Reds.
Hear Barr’s verdict below:
