Last updated 12:05, Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Southport 1 Workington Reds 1: Workington stretched their unbeaten run in Blue Square North to four games – and knocked Southport out of the play-off places.

After a brilliant 5-1 win at second-top AFC Telford on Saturday, the 971 crowd was expecting a big display from the Haig Avenue side, but it never materialised.

Nuneaton’s home win and Southport’s home draw with the Reds meant they changed places in the frantic battle to finish in the top five.

Workington are some 23 points off the play-offs but once again showed, particularly in the first-half, that they can match the best teams when they close-down and press the opposition, forcing them into hurried, mistake-strewn football.

The Reds have enough ability on the ball to test teams themselves so that when they are on their game, in the faces of their opponents and working hard, there are always grounds for optimism.

It was testament to how well Workington had played in the first-half, dominating the home side to such an extent they looked very ordinary, that Southport were booed off at half-time by their own fans.

Not surprisingly Southport reacted to a half-time blast from manager Peter Davenport, and with a couple of changes early in the second-half, looked a better side.

But they never exerted any sustained pressure on a resilient Workington, although the equalising goal came during their best spell when the Reds had to defend as doggedly as they needed to at any stage of the game.

Workington were still as dangerous as their hosts after Southport had established parity and really over the 90-minute piece the Cumbrians deserved to tackle home more than a point.

Two weeks ago Reds were looking anxiously over their shoulders wondering if they were going to be caught-up in a relegation dog-fight. Now they can look upwards to a respectable mid-table finish and an extension of this current unbeaten sequence.

Throughout the team the work ethic ran strongly so that Southport could never settle and as a result goalkeeper Adam Collin did not have a shot to save in the first period.

Southport’s Stephen Drench did not enjoy the same relaxing 45 minutes and could have been picking the ball out of the net more than just the once.

That goal came on 32 minutes following a driving run down the middle by the energetic Dave Hewson. His shot was blocked but fell into the path of Jonny Wright.

The Reds striker hit a goal-bound shot, which took a deflection off Southport defender Kevin Lee, and swerved away from Drench.

The keeper did well to get a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line, with Craig Johnston on the spot to make sure.

Wright is claiming the goal, so too is Johnston. Lee doesn’t want the credit but is favourite, although the unofficial Workington dubious goals panel has been called into make a decision once the DVD has been reviewed.

Drench had earlier tipped over a clever lob from Graham Anthony but was lucky when he tangled with Johnston and somehow the Reds striker sliced the ball behind from close range.

Jonny Wright twice got away on the right to fire low crosses, invitingly into the area but each time they fizzed harmlessly to the left wing without anyone being able to get a killer touch.

Workington surely expected a response in the second-half from the home side and they got it, having to defend three early corners.

But it was another corner on 62 minutes which provided the equaliser. Reds had plenty back in the penalty area but seemed to switch off when the initial flag kick was cleared.

Paul Barratt curled in a return cross and Tony Gray, not the biggest Southport player on the field, got in to head past Collin from close in.

But it was not the start of a Southport barrage and apart from a shot from skipper Chris Holland which whistled inches past Collin’s post, they never seriously extended the Workington keeper.

By contrast Workington could have regained the lead on 78 minutes. Substitute Dan Gullen stole into the area and saw an angled shot from close-range turned onto the post by French. But as Gullen moved to get on the end of the rebound he was clearly impeded but despite immediate protests from the three

Workington players closest to the incident referee Ian Nolan waved play on. Home defender Matt Hocking was booked after deliberately handling on the floor when under pressure as the last defender to hold-up Jonny Wright and Gullen. If the referee had waited just a few seconds Wright would have gained possession and had a clear run-in on goal.

STAR MAN: DAN KIRKUP, who had a spell on loan at Southport last season, made a confident return and is growing into his new role at Workington with each game. Dave Hewson, on a good run and skipper Graham Anthony were excellent in their different roles in mid-field.

KEY MOMENT: Dan Gullen’s effort which hit the post on 78 minutes which should have produced a penalty as the Reds substitute was clearly impeded as he went to knock in the rebound.

Reds: Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, Gray, Kirkup, Hewson (Gullen 74), Anthony,

Hopper, Johnston (Reed 64), J. Wright, A. Wright (Nicholson 85). Subs (not used) Hardman, Taylor.

Referee: Ian Nolan, Manchester

Crowd: 971.