Workington were hoping for a return to winning ways after their disappointing display on Saturday but had to settle for a draw against in-form Cleethorpes Town, in front of a bumper Borough Park attendance.
A crowd of 1,400 turned out to see Reds score a late equaliser and salvage a valuable point as the NPL Premier Division relegation situation intensifies.
And Dan Hopper’s 84th minute goal could prove the most important of his successful loan spell at the club.
He showed maturity beyond his years when he side-footed the ball home from an acute angle, after connecting with Kai Nugent’s assist from the right.
That late volley restored parity after it looked like Reds were heading for a second defeat over the Easter weekend.
They fell behind to a fifth minute goal as Cleethorpes, making their first visit to West Cumbria, started brightly.
Josh Walker opened the scoring with a simple finish from 12 yards after Max Wright had created the opportunity.
But they failed to capitalise on the good start and the pendulum swung in Workington’s favour just before the half-hour mark.
Goalkeeper Ollie Battersby, handled the ball outside the area preventing, a potential scoring opportunity for Nugent.
He was sent off by the referee, leaving Town to battle on with just 10 men for the final hour.
The incident gave Reds a lifeline and, although they didn’t take full advantage of the situation, they deserved the point overall.
“We could have wilted and gone under, like we did at Rylands, but thankfully we got some reward from the game even though our play could have been better when they had their goalkeeper sent off,” said a satisfied Billy Barr.
He had gone into the game without five players, Rigg, Symington, Carroll, Dickinson and Ellis all missing, whilst the unfit Brad Carroll was named as a substitute.
Understandably, the Lincolnshire outfit became more determined not to lose the game rather than win it and were happy to spoil and break up play at every opportunity.
Reds lacked the guile to win the game, though, but they certainly had more of the few chances which were created.
Isaac Whitehall had one effort blocked in the first half, another attempt just cleared the bar and a downward header drifted the wrong side of the post.
And after the late leveller, Reds almost grabbed a winner. Ceiran Casson’s well struck shot seemed destined for the net until Jack Vann’s brave defensive block averted the danger.
Reds finished the day just one point above the relegation zone before next week’s trip to Ashton United.
Hopefully, by then, the squad will be boosted by some of those returning from injury.
