Basford United 3 Workington Reds 2: Despite a flying start, and a two-goal lead by the half-hour mark, Workington still couldn’t end their points draught on their travels.

Previous away defeats have seen Reds largely chasing the games, but on this occasion, they gained a clear advantage but couldn’t see it through.

Not for the first time, it was the inability to put away chances which cost them in the long term, as they could have had more first-half goals.

Basford, playing on their 3G artificial grass pitch for a third season, admit they have become slow starters on the surface but have usually put in their better efforts in the second 45 minutes. This was another performance to underline that statistic.

Reds couldn’t have asked for a better start as Conor Tinnion drilled in the opening goal after only one minute and 42 seconds.

He was put through, cutting in from the left and he drilled a sharp, low drive beyond the home keeper Kieran Preston into the bottom corner.

Although Liam Hearn shot over from a good position and Aaron Taylor had to tip over a 25-yard free-kick from Kieran Fenton, Reds generally dealt comfortably with what the hosts threw at them, working hard at the back.

They should have doubled their lead on 19 minutes when Jamie Mellen found a huge gap down the middle of the field and raced through it to take on Preston. He appeared to be shaping to slide it past the keeper but got it wrong and hit it straight at him where the legs were able to block.

But the second goal did arrive on 29 minutes after a curling free-kick from Tinnion had hit the post and rebounded off a defender for a corner.

Matty Douglas reached the flag kick to power in a header which Preston spectacularly saved just underneath his bar. But the ball spiralled back into the air and, this time, Douglas’ header looped over a covering defender into the net.

What an opportunity now to go on and record that elusive first away win!

But there was a setback before the break when the hosts reduced the arrears on 35 minutes.

Mellen was unlucky with a hand-ball decision against him and, from 25 yards, a curling free-kick from James Reid was headed back across goal by Fenton for Hearn to force home from close-range.

Yet even then, with the home side boosted by their success, Reds should have gone in further ahead than 2-1.

Not for the first time a gap opened up in the home defence and, this time, it was Jordan Holt who charged forward but his shot on the run was blocked by Preston.

It looped back out to Sam Joel but, again, his follow-up shot was stopped by the body of Preston and eventually cleared.

The second half was a disappointing effort as Reds did not really suggest they were going to add to their tally. Only a late curling shot from Jason Walker, which was parried away by the diving Preston, offered hope of another goal.

It had only taken ten minutes for Basford to get back on terms.

Academy youngster Kole Lambert, who had just come on before half-time, wriggled clear in the box and fired past Taylor. He proved a lively customer and only good work by Taylor to smother the ball at his feet prevented the young striker from scoring his second.

The goal that eventually won the game came on 70 minutes from a corner when Deon Meikle rose highest at a corner to head powerfully home.

It could have been even worse for the Reds on 82 minutes when Basford were awarded a penalty for a foul on Liam Bateman.

But Taylor, who has a wonderful record for saving penalties, dived full length to his left to turn aside the spot-kick from top scorer Nathan Watson.

Match Facts

Basford: Preston, Bateman, Keane, Thornhill, Roma, Meikle, Thomas, Fenton (Lambert 42), Watson, Hearn (Grantham 71), Reid. Subs (not used) Hakeem, Carr, Stokes.

Goals: Hearn (35), Lambert (55), Meikle (70).

Workington: Taylor, Olsen, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Douglas, Mellen, Joel, Holt (Hubbold 58), Walker, Allison (Mossop 80), Tinnion. Subs (not used) Maguire, Tidy, Casson.

Goals: Tinnion (2), Douglas (29)

Referee: Gareth Davis

Crowd: 211

Star Man: Aaron Taylor