Workington were slow starters at Ewen Fields but burst into life with two goals just before half-time to take control. They scored two more early in the second period to kill-off a young Hyde side who had been on top for half an hour.

The win, through goals from Kyle May, James Earl, Gareth Arnison and Phil McLuckie lifted Reds into second in the table.

Hyde went into the game without a win in over two months while Reds were on a winning roll, only interrupted by a home defeat by lowly Colwyn Bay.

The home side included two of their Academy players in the starting line-up with all four of their substitutes from the same source.

Workington boss Derek Townsley made one change with Robert Wilson starting in mid-field and Anthony Wright moving to the bench. Top scorer Scott Allison returned from suspension but started on the bench.

The Hyde pitch was in great order, a contrast to the heavy surfaces that have greeted Reds in recent matches.

Hyde made a flying start with a long run from Ayrton Bevins causing problems. Workington backed-off and when he pulled the ball across to Reece Gray he should have scored but fired wide. Then Gari Rowntree had to make a great tackle at the expense of a corner which was cleared.

The lively Bevins broke away again and it took a timely interception by May to win back possession.

Workington had their best moment when Conor Tinnion pressured Ryan Ellison into a mistake.

The full-back was penalised and booked for holding back the Reds winger and the free kick a held by keeper Sam Vince at the second attempt.

Hyde forced a free kick themselves in the right hand corner but Ben Holmes over-hit the ball in and Reds breathed again.

Certainly Reds had been second best with Hyde lively and determined forcing the pace.

Holmes put in a good shot from 25 yards and Mitchell went down well to block and then gather.

When Reds got going Joe McGee slipped in Arnison but the flag was up for offside.

Hyde were close again on 30 minutes when Laurie Bell hit one from distance and it flew narrowly wide.

It was against the run of play when Reds took the lead on 34 minutes. They won a first corner and Jake Simpson’s flag kick was headed home by May.

This seemed to rouse the Cumbrians and they double their lead on 40 minutes.

Gray played a ball back to James Burke but the full-back slipped and James Earl was quickly in. He went on into the area before driving a low angle drive under Vince into the net.

It was a remarkable finish to a half which had been bossed by Hyde for half an hour.

Workington were much brighter at the start of the second-half and took the game to the hosts.

Arnison had a shot which was well wide but on 53 minutes he made amends. Tinnion and McGee linked down the left and the ball in saw Arnison fire clinically beyond Vince.

Workington were rampant now and on 61 minutes scored again.

Earl put a great ball over the top for Tinnion and when he swept in a low cross Phil McLuckie was
thundering in to hammer past Vince.

Workington were lively and focused now and they almost got a fifth when they broke through but McGee’s effort from close range was blocked by Bell.

Scott Allison was brought on after 68 minutes for Tinnion and three minutes later Anthony Wright came on for Rob Wilson.

It was easy now for Reds who knocked the ball around confidently while Hyde were just a pale shadow of the side who had dominated the opening half an hour.

As they cruised towards the final whistle Reds made a third change with Rob McCartney replacing Earl.

The game had died now entering the last 10 minutes with Hyde offering nothing and Reds playing the ball around for fun.

There was a chance for Hyde to get on the score-sheet but Bevins lifted a lob just wide of the taget.

Then two minutes from the end Spencer hit a free kick onto the roof of the net and their best move of the half ended with a shot from Bevins being held easily by Mitchell.

Hyde Utd: Vince, Ellison, Burke, Muscat, Pearson, Bell, Jones (Boyle 60), Holmes, Spencer, Bevins, Gray (Khamsuk 68)(not used) Trimble, Broadbent.

Workington: Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Smith, Earl (McCartney 74), McLuckie, Wilson (Wight 71), Arnison, McGee, Tinnion (Allison 68. Subs: (Not used) Calvert, Grandison.

Referee: Ben Speedie, Liverpool

Crowd: 251