The width of a goal-post cost Workington Reds £15,000 and the chance of making more from Wednesday’s FA Cup replay.

The Cumbrians had shaded the 90 minutes at Kidsgrove when the ball fell to Conor Tinnion, unmarked in the box and on his favoured left foot.

Everyone would bank on the skilful midfielder scoring. Skipper Gari Rowntree had started to wheel away in celebration as he saw Tinnion strike his shot well, beyond the home keeper.

But joy turned to despair when the ball cannoned back into play off the foot of the post – and extra-time was to prove a major disaster.

Kidsgrove, who had levelled on 68 minutes following Sam Joel’s opener on the hour, were the stronger side in the 30 minutes of extra time which was probably the biggest disappointment of the night.

Portuguese substitute Rumario got through after 10 minutes to fire past Aaran Taylor and earn Kidsgrove a potentially lucrative trip to Hartlepool.

There were two late chances for Reds to take the game to penalties but Matty Douglas headed over and Joel had his goal-bound shot deflected for a corner.

Workington, in flashes, had produced some good football and had rounded-off their best spell with the goal on the hour. Tinnion’s corner was smartly headed home by Joel but the lead lasted only eight minutes.

Lewis Bergin was just inside the Reds half when he decided to take on Aaran Taylor, who had adopted his sweeper/keeper role on the edge of the area.

It was perfectly struck and Taylor desperately back-pedalling leapt to get a hand to the shot but as he fell to the ground could only watch in dismay as the ball dropped into the net.

Nine times out of ten Bergin’s effort would have dropped short or gone over – nine times out of ten Tinnion would have scored, and not hit the post. Such are the thin lines of success and failure.

Co-manager Dave Hewson was particularly deflated about the fact that Kidsgrove had looked the stronger, more likely side in extra-time.

“It was a massive game for the club and that’s why it was so disappointing to lose. I never like losing but I am really hurting over this one.

“We have two home games coming up and we need to come up with two wins. That’s our responsibility and Lee (Andrews) and I will be looking for a positive response against Witton on Saturday,” said Hewson.

For the replay Reds dispensed with the number eight shirt as a tribute to former midfielder Tony Hopper who died on Tuesday night. Jamie Mellen wore number 18.

Reds’ travelling support also joined in the tribute with applause during the eighth minute.