Delighted Workington Reds boss Dave Hewson says his team answered some of their critics with a victory over high-flying Scarborough Athletic in the FA Trophy.

Reds toppled the current Evo Stik Northern Premier League leaders 1-0 at Borough Park, thanks to a lone Scott Allison goal.

And Hewson said it was the result his side needed to boost their season, with a great show in defence to grind out the victory.

"It was massive for the players and long overdue," said Hewson after the game on Saturday.

"They've took a lot of criticism and that's part and parcel of football when things aren't going your way.

"But I'm just really pleased for them because they dug in and worked really hard today and I think they got their just rewards."

Reds adapted much better to the playing conditions and restricted their visitors in every area of the game to take their place in the next round.

Hewson added: "You have to adapt to the conditions and the way the game was.

"They were the same, they are a good footballing side but they struggled to get their game going and I think we adapted better.

"We did the dirty side better today and ground out a very well earned, tough victory that puts us into the next round."

Hewson was full of praise for the all-round team effort in attack and defence and the fact that they kept a clean sheet.

"I thought we defended magnificently," he said. "Aaran (Taylor) didn't have a save to make. Everything in front of him, defensive and discipline wise, went well, we did our jobs to a man so really pleased with that.

"We've played well in spells in games, played well in the first half and maybe not the second but we managed to see this through.

"We were always going to be under pressure at times but we withstood and then we could have snatched a couple more if we had taken more care on the break.

"So I am thoroughly pleased but just need all the praise on the players as it is a tough ask to come out here each week and face the criticism that they have.

"And to stand up and be counted and get the victory against the top of the league is all credit to them."

Allison's goal proved the difference in the end, going in in the 27th minute of the first half.

It wasn't a memorable goal but it proved crucial both to the team's confidence and the final result.

"We needed that type of goal, scruffy and mis-hit, although Scotty will say it wasn't but it was,"joked Hewson.

"We just needed our fortune to change in front of goal and I kept encouraging everyone to just keep going, shoot when you get the opportunity and see what happens.

"And there you go, it went in and turned out to be the winning goal.

"Credit to Scotty for being in there and getting his shot off and credit to the team for sticking it out and holding on to a 1-0 win."