The great escape was successfully accomplished with time to spare, and Billy Barr could enjoy a Saturday night to ponder a job well done.
Not that the 57-year-old Workington manager is one for self-congratulation, happy to spread the plaudits and praise around his staff, directors and fans – but especially the players.
When he was appointed at the start of November he inherited a side low in confidence after just two wins in 16 games. They beat Hyde in his first game in charge but then went 12 games without a win.
There were seven draws in there and a dozen points given away through conceding goals after the 85th minute – there were green shoots of recovery appearing.
Barr’s first objective was to get his players fitter, better equipped to play the way he wanted to formulate and that took a little time.
But an unbeaten run of nine games, which earned him the Manager of the Month for February and very close to a follow-up in March, strengthened belief that relegation could be avoided.
They had been ten points adrift in January and few in the game were giving them a shout in their bid to stave off relegation.
But more importantly, not so Barr, his assistant ex-Reds defender Lee Andrews and goalkeeper coach Billy Redden – and particularly his players who importantly had found that important ingredient – belief.
Reds being Reds, however, it wasn’t all plain sailing.
A three-match run without a win, and only one point, set nerves jangling again. Although out of the bottom three for the first time in months, they were only a point clear.
Then came the penultimate game of the season – a trip to mid-table Warrington Town – and the shock of going 2-0 behind before the interval.
It was probably the most important half-time team talk of Barr’s tenure – and it proved effective as the response was immediate and effective.
Second half goals from Jake Allan, Josh Palmer and Tom Stephenson turned round the game and gave Reds the three points they needed – with results elsewhere confirming their safety.
