A lone goal from Scott Allison proved enough for Workington Reds as they defeated Scarborough Athletic in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

Reds were looking to the FA Trophy to kick start their season, after having a great run in the competition last season and they did just that with a 1-0 win at Borough Park.

Skipper Gari Rowntree came back into the starting line-up with Jamie Mellen moving back into the midfield, replacing the missing Jordan Holt.

And it was an improved performance from the home side in both attack and defence.

The opening 10 minutes of the encounter were pretty even with neither side having any real clear cut chances, both looking to find a way through determined defences.

An early free kick for the visitors was dealt with and cleared by Reds and they looked to come back and find a chink in the Scarborough defence to put themselves in the driving seat.

Reds began to put on the pressure as a Sam Joel shot came back off one of the Scarborough defenders and shortly after a Scott Allison effort went wide of the post.

James Walshaw looked to turn in the box and try and get a shot away but he found Dan Wordsworth in his way and Reds again cleared.

It was Workington who got the upper hand in the 27th minute as a Conor Tinnion free kick was put into the box and it was Kyle May who got an initial shot but that was blocked.

It then came back to the feet of Scott Allison and he pushed it home to take the lead.

Aaran Taylor came out to clear at the feet of James Walshaw as Scarborough looked to get back in the game but Reds pushed forward again.

Tinnion chipped in another free kick out to the waiting Jason Walker he crossed it back inside but Athletic were there to clear.

Wayne Brooksby created a chance for Scarborough as they pushed forward looking dangerous but in the end Jamie Mellen got a crucial block in so that Nathan Valentine's shot was pushed wide for a corner.

The two sides continued to battle it out but at half time it was Workington with a slender 1-0 lead.

Into the second half and both sides were looking to put their stamp on the game.

Dan Wordsworth had to get between Walshaw and Aaran Taylor to halt his goal scoring chance.

And then it was back to Workington who made their opponents work. First a shot from Sam Joel bobbled for the keeper and he could just palm it away for a corner.

Tinnion then lifted the ball in from the corner flag and it was the head of Matty Douglas that met it.

It looked to be heading into the top of the net before Scarborough shot-stopper Tom Taylor acrobatically got his fingertips to it to push it over the bar.

Reds were looking to extend their lead but an effort from Rowntree went well over the bar, as did a shot from Tinnion moments later after he broke free.

Good work from Joel down the left hand side found the supporting Rowntree. He got the ball into the box but Niall Cowperthwaite's header was comfortably collected by the keeper.

Scarborough got a chance to get back into the game when they won a free kick just a few yards in from the corner.

Forrester fired it into a crowded area but the Reds defence just managed to flick it away and defuse the danger.

Aaran Taylor was also called on moments later as he had to come out and scoop the ball up at the feet of a charging Walshaw.

Reds had to weather a mini storm from their visitors but they hung on and had chances of their own, Tinnion just not able to get to a great cross from Allison that flitted across the goalmouth.

Scarborough won a free kick in a dangerous position and it was put into the box by the boot of Matt Dixon. It was flicked goalwards but Wordsworth put it out at the expense of a corner, which was punched clear by Taylor.

Cowperthwaite looked to try and give Reds a two-goal cushion as he looked to hammer home from outside the area but it took a deflection and went out for a corner.

It came in from the left hand side and Matty Douglas looked to flick it home but the keeper collected under pressure.

Into the final 10 minutes and Taylor blocked well again from close range as Michael Coulson looked to find the goal for Scarborough.

Reds were having to battle to protect their one goal lead and try and extend it at the same time.

Some great football saw Tinnion come into the box and look to get his shot away which had to be booted out for a throw in by the Athletic defence.

Walker put sub Sheldon Mossop in on goal and only some last gasp defence stopped Reds from going two up as they pressed in the dying minutes.

The last few moments saw Reds keep it tight and they ran out victors to move into the next round of the competition.