Workington Reds goal hero Conor Tinnion said the players felt they owed the management team after his double sealed his side’s first three points of the season.

The skilful winger, who scored a sensational 25-yard goal in a 2-1 win at home to Darlington 1883 on Tuesday, believes the west Cumbrians can now kick on after sealing their first victory of the league season.

Workington looked set to make it three draws from their opening four games until Tinnion popped up with his stunning effort, a strike he ranks inside his top three goals so far in his career.

Cockermouth-based Tinnion said: “It’s the best we have played this season. We felt we owed Dabba [Dave Hewson], Degsy [Derek Townsley] and Bones [Lee Andrews].

“There has been a good feeling but the first three results didn’t show that. We weren’t panicking. We have probably played better than the results have suggested at times.

“Everything looks a little better now we have that first win. We can kick on now.

“Darlington will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They have some money and have bought some players. It will show later on in the season how good that win was.

“When it sorts itself out later in the season we will think it was a good three points.”

The match saw Reds start without a recognised striker as assistant managers Hewson and Andrews deployed winger Scott Allison up front and attacking midfielder Joe McGee just behind him.

The change paid off as Allison and McGee tormented the Darlington back four throughout the first half.

Tinnion, who was voted Workington’s Players’ Player of the Year last season, said: “Scott gives you something different. He just ran in the first half and didn’t give their defence a rest.

“In the first half he was our best player.”

New goalkeeper Alex Mitchell continued his impressive start to the season with a string of good saves to deny Darlington.

Tinnion believes Reds have two of the best goalkeepers in the league in Mitchell and Jonny Jamieson.

“I don’t think there will be too many teams that have a better two keepers,” Tinnion said. “Jonny was excellent last season. It speaks volumes of how well Alex has done.

“Alex knows he can’t rest on his laurels. I would be happy with either of them in goal.”