Workington Reds manager Derek Townsley admitted he was thankful that goalkeeper Alex Mitchell was spared a red card during their 1-1 draw with Barwell on Saturday.

The onrushing Mitchell fouled Jamie Towers 25 yards from goal on 22 minutes and was booked after knocking the forward to the ground.

With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench Reds would have been forced to put one of their outfield players between the sticks.

Conor Tinnion’s superb effort from 25 yards rescued a point for the home side after they fell behind to Jamie Towers’ tap-in.

Townsley said: “Mitchell has had a rush of blood. He scuffed his goal kick, but it was the right decision.

“Josh Calvert came back to cover so we had a defender goal side, but I’m glad the referee saw sense.”

The Reds could have taken an early lead through Scott Allison, but after last weekend’s trio of penalties he was unable to hit the target from close range.

Allison also had another chance saved on 19 minutes, but Barwell cranked up the pressure and eventually scored on 52 minutes before Tinnion saved the Reds seven minutes later.

He added: “I think it was a fair result and it was certainly a game of two halves. In that first half I was disappointed, but we were better in the second half.

“Conor’s strike was sweet. It was set up nicely for him and it was a great strike. But we were disappointed with their goal because we were caught ball-watching and the striker could not believe his luck.”

Despite creating a number of openings, Reds were left frustrated by a lively Barwell side who could easily have stolen all three points.

Substitutes Gareth Arnison and Matty Tymon had a positive impact for the Reds and Arnison had their best second half chance when his shot was saved.