Workington Reds had to settle for a point in the opening game of the new season after being held to a 1-1 by 10-man Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday.

The West Cumbrians dominated the Evo-Stik Premier Division encounter at Borough Park but chances were scarce and when they did come, Workington weren’t at their sharpest in front of goal.

Sutton took the lead on 24 minutes through Justin Richards in a period when Reds looked in control of proceedings.

But Workington equalised 10 minutes into the second half courtesy of a fine individual goal from winger Scott Allison.

Sutton were reduced to 10 men on 78 minutes when midfielder Malcolm Melvin was shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge on Jake Simpson.

Reds continued to control possession until the final whistle but couldn’t find a winning goal.

Manager Derek Townsley expressed his concerns over his side’s finishing after the final whistle, an issue that regularly cropped last season.

However, there were encouraging signs for the season ahead. The style of football felt like a continuation from last season. Yes, influential player-manager Gavin Skelton has moved on but the philosophy he instilled in the team lives on.

Reds came out of the traps in the first half, pressing, passing and asking questions of the Sutton defence – the style of football we became accustomed to last season.

They had the first opportunity after just five minutes when new signing Joe McGee, who looked a bright spark in attacking midfield, played Matty Tymon through on goal. Tymon battled with the defender and managed to get his shot off but it just trickled wide of the far post.

Allison then created room for himself in the box with a neat turn, but he appeared to be tripped from behind when taking his shot. Referee Kelvin Sarsfield waved away the shouts for a penalty.

Then on 13 minutes, Conor Tinnion whipped in a corner-kick and Tymon met the inviting cross with a bullet header. Sutton goalkeeper Lewis Gwillams showed superb agility to tip the ball onto the crossbar. In the scramble to clear their lines, the ball appeared to hit a Sutton hand but again the referee said ‘no’.

However, after all Reds’ possession and chances, it was Sutton who took the lead on 24 minutes.

The West Midlands side had enjoyed a decent spell of possession and a few half-chances shortly before striker Richards broke the deadlock.

A long ball was played over the top from defence and Richards beat the offside trap and cooly slotted the ball past Alex Mitchell in goal.

Screams of ‘offside’ reverberated around the ground but the linesman’s flag wasn’t raised and the goal stood.

Workington ended the half on top but couldn’t breakdown a stubborn Sutton.

They again started brightly after the restart, although Sutton almost made it 2-0 when Kyle Rowley was left unmarked at the back post following a cross, but his half-volley hit the side netting.

Reds’ good play was rewarded 10 minutes into the second half with a deserved equaliser. Winger Allison broke the down the right, cut inside on his left foot and his powerful shot squeezed inside the near post despite Gwilliams getting a palm onto it.

Workington continued to dominate but were struggling to test Gwilliams in goal until McGee picked up the ball on the edge of the box on 70 minutes and unleashed a curling shot which the Sutton goalkeeper did well to palm away.

Phil McLuckie then had a goal-bound shot tipped over the bar by a defender’s head following a mad scramble in the box.

Sutton’s task became even tougher on 78 minutes when midfielder Melvin was shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge on Simpson.

But in the following 10 minutes Reds struggled to create any clear-cut openings as 10-man Sutton dug in for a well-earned point.

Reds: Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree (C), May, Smith, McLuckie (Earl, 81), Allison, Wright, Tymon (Arnison, 67), McGee, Tinnion. Subs (not used): Calvert, Telfer, McCartney.

Attendance: 488.