Hednesford 0 Workington Reds 2

After the disappointment of a home defeat by bottom side Skelmersdale, Workington have reacted in the best possible way.

Two away wins in a row have kept alive their play-off hopes, so that currently they have a share of the fifth and final place.

That 1-0 loss to Skem might prove crucial but, if Reds can continue to display the commitment and spirit they have shown at Marine and Hednesford, they can still make the play-offs for the third time in succession.

This latest success at Keys Park was probably Workington’s finest effort away from home this season.

Down to ten men from the 35th minute, Reds went in all square and in the second half were the better team, taking the game to their hosts.

There can be no better compliment than to say that for the final 50 minutes (there were five added on at the end of the first half) it was Hednesford who were made to look as though they were playing with ten.

It’s always a pointer to the way the team played when there are several contenders for man of the match, and on this occasion, everyone made a significant contribution to the final outcome.

The management played their part, too, with a studious re-arrangement of personnel for the second half when James Earl had been sent off.

Gari Rowntree came on at left-back with Sam Smith moving into the centre of defence. Josh Calvert switched to central midfield and Scott Allison went to the right-hand side with Sam Joel asked to play the lone striker’s role.

It proved to be mighty effective and full of honest endeavour and determination, as Reds forced Hednesford onto the back foot.

In fact, it was no more than Reds deserved when they took the lead on the hour when Conor Tinnion swung over a cross from the right.

As he has done on many occasions throughout his long Workington career, Kyle May timed his run and leap to perfection to out-jump, the taller home defenders and guide a header into the corner of the net.

Reds had something tangible to hold onto and there was even more tenacity about the way they went about their business.

Hednesford seemed devoid of ideas and it was only after Reds had doubled their lead that they created a problem for them.

A corner was eventually directed goalwards but Rowntree, a key performer in the second half, was well positioned to clear off the line.

Reds had been given a two-goal cushion after 75 minutes when Jake Simpson fired the ball from right to left, searching for the run of substitute Nathan Waterston.

Home full-back Lewis Wright was first there but he under-hit his header back to goalkeeper Dan Crane.

Waterston nipped in quickly and, from an angle, cleverly lifted the ball over Crane and into the far corner of the net for a very good finish.

He had earlier fired into the side-netting after a clever link-up with Simpson and Allison.

It should be remembered, however, after all the euphoria of a superb second-half effort with ten men that it was all still possible because of a brilliant save on 15 minutes by Aaran Taylor.

Danny Glover had evaded a challenge by May in the box and, from eight yards, thumped in what should have been the opening goal. But a stunning reflex save by Taylor saw him turn the shot over the bar.

Workington’s best effort in the first half came from the industrious Rob Wilson, hitting his shot over the angle of post and bar after a good link-up between Earl, Dave Symington and Allison.

The other talking point from the first half was the 35th minute red card for Earl.

He had been fouled by George Washbourne but jumped-up quickly and, as the two clashed, it was Earl who seemed to shoulder-charge his opponent in the chest.

For his retaliation, Earl was shown a red card while Washburne, involved in two or three incidents later, was eventually yellow carded and subsequently substituted before he also saw red.

Earl will now miss Saturday’s big play-off crunch game at home to Stourbridge, and might have three more to sit out after that as this is his second red card of the season.

Hednesford: Crane, Wright, Campion, McNaught, Brown, Brenan, Washbourne (Fitzpatrick 57), Thorley, Glover, Clarke (Cater 63), McDermott (Danquah 73). Subs (not used) Ransome, Ballinger.

Workington: Taylor, Simpson, Smith, May, Calvert, Earl, Symington (Rowntree 45), Wilson, Allison, Joel (Waterston 68), Tinnion. Subs (not used) Ryan, Douglas, Cham.

Referee: Simon Brown

Crowd: 358

Star Man: Sam Smith