Delighted Workington Reds boss Lee Andrews praised his troops for grinding out a crucial victory over Lancaster City yesterday.

The scrappy encounter was deadlocked until the 69th minute when a header from the free-scoring defender Matty Douglas edged the home side ahead.

And in the final minute of normal time, a half volley from Rob Wilson sealed the points that moved Reds up to eighth, five points off the final play-off place, with a game in hand over its occupants Witton.

"It won't live long in the memory, it was a scrappy game but we ground it out in the end," admitted Andrews.

"At half time we said if we could get the ball wide and get it into the box we felt we could cause them problems and I think the first goal showed how simple it was.

"It was just a ball into the box and a great header from Dougie into the corner. And the same with the second goal, Dave Symington went one on one with his man.

"We keep saying we would always back him, going one-on-one with any defender in this league and he will get past them and get a ball into the box.

"He put a great ball in and it was a great finish from Rob on the half volley."

It was Douglas' ninth goal of the term, in what has been a great season for the young defender, who came into the side after the departure of Jake Simpson.

Andrews added: "He's been superb, he didn't started the season as a regular but he forced his way into the team and kept his shirt.

"Nine goals from full-back is not a bad return and he got his reward with a new contract."

Now Andrews is calling for consistency as Reds need to pick up as many remaining points as possible if they are to reach their play-off goal.

"It's all about consistency, which is a word we've been using a lot these past few weeks," he said.

"We can't be up there one week and then back down with a poor performance the week after. We have to start being consistent.

"We know with the players we have in the squad we are capable and once we get that consistency we will go on a run of winning games.

"And we know we can squeeze in to the play-offs with the experience we have from the past few years."

Reds now go to Buxton on Saturday as they look to pick up more points, this time on the road.

The only injury problem from yesterday surrounds Scott Allison, who came off at half time with a niggling hip problem.

Andrews said the injury had been plaguing Allison for around 18 months but they were hoping to manage it and have him fit for Saturday.