Scott Allison scored his sixth goal of the season to give Workington a deserved 1-0 win at Ashton United.

It was their first away success of the season and was a massive improvemen on Saturday’s home defeat by Matlock.

Allison scored the winner on 66 minutes, firing home from the edge of the area.

Reds had to travel without Sam Smith and Anthony Wright through work commitments while Rob Wilson and Jack Ryan were both missing through injury.

Nathan Waterston was there but is still recovering from a long-term injury, and although closing in on full fitness, wasn’t considered.

Reds did unveil a new player, teenager Jack Egan who has joined on loan from Carlisle United and is in line for an award as apprentice of the year in the north west.

Reds had done the double over Ashton in the last two seasons and badly needed a win at Hurst Cross after a poor performance in defeat on Saturday.

Dominic Smalley had the first shot after 40 seconds but he was wide and high from distance.

Young Egan got his first touch right afterward and produced a fine cross, which was headed clear by Josh Granite. Then Dan Wordsworth stormed forward to try his luck but was wide from 25 yards.

Scott Allison was being used as the lone striker ahead of a five-man midfield.

Two early balls looking for Allison were just over-hit.

On eight minutes Smalley tanked forward and a shot/cross drifted just wide of Aaran Taylor’s far post. That sparked a spell of Ashton pressure which ended with a shot from John Roberts which was off target.

But it was Workington who almost took the lead on 11 minutes. An Allison shot was blocked and fell to Sam Joel who saw his low drive cleared off the line.

The first corner went Ashton’s way but Dave Symington headed away and when the ball as returned to the box Tylor held comfortably.

A great ball from Allison found Egan wide and when he laid the ball in to Jordan Holt he had a chance to turn and shoot but was robbed by Granite.

Workington were doing well, pressing Ashton in possession and looking the more likely.

Symington let one rip from 35 yards but the grass-cutter was held by keeper Ashley Frith diving to his right.

There was a scare when Ashton won two successive corners and the second one hit a Workington player on the line before it was cleared.

Taylor did well when Ashton knoked the ball long, as they were prone to do, and he came quickly out to fly-kick clear as Alex Johnston bore down.

At the other end Joel fired one straight at Frith, who held comfortably.

When Workington won a free-kick in a good position Holt’s ball in struck the wall and was cleared.

Ashton had been caught offside on several occasions but when they did get through Taylor held Nicky Platt’s low shot.

There was a short stoppage at the end of the half while James Earl received treatment.

It had been a good first-half by the Reds (playing in blue) but they had to maintain their focus.

Thre was an early chance when Jake Simpson put in a low cross which was missed in the box by both Allison and Egan, as well as two defenders, before it was cleared.

After a good little spell Earl, who had been prominent in that, was spoken to by the referee for a foul.

He escaped a booking but Granite didn’t in the 53rd minute after tripping Joel in full flight.

Simpson’s curling free kick was headed over by Wordsworth.

Then Allison poked the ball through for Joel but he pushed the defender in the area as he gave chase.

Workington were proving the better side, with more of the ball and asking more questions.

Reds produced a stunning length of the field move on 59 minutes and Allison finished with a shot spectacularly turned over by Frith.

Calvert reached Simpson’s corner but directed his header wide.

Ashton had their first serious attack on 61 minutes when Matthew Chadwick went on a long run but his low cross was smothered by Taylor.

They then won a corner on 62 minutes but it was comfortably cleared.

At the other end Joel nipped in to get behind Smalley and from a tight angle lobbed the ball onto the roof of the net.

Then Conor Tinnion slid in a lovely low cross which was turned behind for a corner which Frith held onto from Allison’s back post header.

Workington were playing well and deservedly took the lead on 66 minutes. Allison found himself in possession on the edge of the area and after working his way across two defenders fired left footed past Frith into the bottom corner.

Ashton responded by pushing on Oscar Durnin for John Roberts.

Wordsworth made a great block on Chadwick as he drove into the area and the referee awarded a free-kick in Reds favour.

Ashton were sporadic in their serious attacks and when Smalley fired a cross in from the left it was far too high.

Earl was booked on 79 minutes after a rash challenge on Lanre Olapade.

Ashton made a second change on 81 minutes with Richard Smith replacing Platt.

Chadwick had a shot which proved too hot for Taylo to hold and then he put in a cross which Johnston couldn’t turn in.

Ashton were enjoying their best spell of the game as they sought to salvage something.

Young Egan was substituted in the 87th minute by Jamie Mellen after the youngster had been booked.

He had made an impressive debut, busy and tricky throughout.

There were five minutes of added time between Reds and their first away win.

Ashton had a free kick deep on the left but it was hit beyond a packed penalty area.