Workington boss David Hewson couldn’t hide his frustration after watching Reds drop another three points, as their mediocre start to the season continued.

Trying to explain why his side shipped another three goals, all the result of poor defending, Hewson, whose team now languish in 18th position in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, said: “In any league, and any game, you cannot gift the opposition three goals like that and expect to get any reward.”

“They didn’t create too much in open play, so our errors have proved costly.”

Hewson was reflecting on a 3-2 defeat at Halesowen Town who, thanks to Reds’ generosity, registered their first home win of the campaign.

Despite a bright, confident opening, Reds found themselves two goals down at the break after twice shooting themselves in the foot.

Aaran Taylor scuffed a routine clearance and, in attempting to save his keeper’s embarrassment, Sam Smith thumped the ball against Kaiman Anderson who knew very little about his fifth goal of the season as it cannoned into the vacant net.

Matthew Douglas’ poor touch led to him being disposed by Jordan Goddard who doubled Halesowen’s lead midway through the first half.

As an attacking force, Reds threatened constantly.

Nathan Waterston and Conor Tinnion, twice, saw first efforts rebound off the woodwork and the visitors were camped in Town territory for most of the second half.

Douglas atoned for his first-half blunder by heading home on the hour to give the travelling supporters hope.

But the hosts restored their two-goal advantage when Goddard found Anderson who netted the decisive third.

Josh Calvert marked his birthday with the fifth goal of the afternoon, a sweetly struck 30-yarder.

But Halesowen survived late Reds' pressure to secure the points.