By John WALSH

Last updated 11:31, Wednesday, 02 April 2008

WORKINGTON’S chance to cross swords with the best team in non-League football evaporated in a disappointing FA Trophy fade-out.

With the prospect of a trip to Blue Square Premier high-fliers Aldershot looming large, Reds faded dramatically in this second round replay.

Having been outplayed once more for the opening 20 minutes, and again a goal in arrears, Reds produced their best football of the night to take the game to Braintree.

When Craig Johnston fired home a 60th minute penalty to level the scores it seemed inevitable that the Cumbrians would go on and earn the trip to deepest Hampshire.

But almost inexplicably it was Braintree who responded best to the goal and they came back to regain the lead and deserved to earn their third round trip to the top team in non-league football.

Workington, who had put together an impressive four match unbeaten run – three of them away from home – just weren’t able to lift themselves when they needed to.

It was an inconsistent performance which fully deserved a dressing room lock-in afterwards as the management team and the players searched for answers.

Braintree, as they showed in the tie on Saturday, are a useful side – well-organised, fluid, hard-working and with enough ability on the ball to trouble their opponents.

As they had at home Braintree got off to a lively start – although the first clear-cut chance fell to the Reds. Craig Johnston was left unmarked on the end of a right wing cross but his first time volley was almost straight at the giant figure of Nick Morgan.

Workington didn’t take it on from there and it was Braintree who were increasingly more likely.

A flowing move on 18 minutes ended with Billy Burgess firing just over Adam Collin’s bar.

That was an indication, perhaps, of how Braintree were starting to exert some pressure and two minutes later they took the lead.

For what seemed an age the ball was in and around the Workington penalty area without the home side being able to get it away long or far enough.

It eventually fell to Bradley Quinton out on the right and his low cross shot beat Collin and nestled in the far bottom corner to give Braintree the lead.

That seemed to galvanise Workington and for the rest of the first-half they took the game to the Essex side and most of the game was played in the Braintree half.

Johnston fired over the top; Jonny Wright headed over and on more than one occasion, brave defending produced blocks inside the area which prevented Morgan from being tested.

The best effort came from Graham Anthony with a free-kick from the edge of the area which was dipping dangerously but was palmed over the bar by Morgan.

Wright almost stole in minutes before the break to steer the ball past Morgan but saw his shot trickle inches past the outside of the post. But surely if Workington could keep up the pressure the goal would come? It did, but the after-effects were surprising, and in many ways decided the outcome of the tie.

On the hour full-back Mark Jones was adjudged to have handled in the area – given by the referee’s assistant – and the penalty was awarded.

Johnston made no mistake from the sport, sending Morgan the wrong way. Now surely Workington would be lifted and go on to take the game?

Not so. In fact in the time that was left, Braintree were the more dangerous side and that was when the tie was decided.

On 70 minutes Braintree were awarded a corner. Big defender Russell Edwards got up to get an important touch and it fell to James Baker who couldn’t miss from a yard out.

Sadly there was an air of inevitably about it after that. Robbie Martin fired into the side-netting and then the same player got clear down the middle and Kyle May had to make a superb saving tackle to rescue his side.

Workington just couldn’t put Morgan under enough pressure in the closing stages to suggest they could get back into the game, so their effort virtually petered out.

It was so disappointing that instead of going out with a roar, Reds went out with a whimper.

VERDICT

STAR MAN: Few contenders to demonstrate why Workington didn’t go through.

TONY HOPPER probably just shaded Alan Gray and Gari Rowntree for the accolade.

KEY MOMENT: Craig Johnston’s 60th minute penalty. But instead of being the blue touch paper to light Workington’s victory surge it proved to be the wake-up call Braintree needed – and they responded really well.

Reds: Collin, McLuckie, Rowntree, May (Inglis 85), Gray, Johnston (Hewson 80), Anthony, Hopper, Berkeley, J. Wright, Galloway (Stephenson 75).

Subs (not used) Gullen, Taylor.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham, Sunderland Crowd: 421.