Matlock Town 2 Workington Reds 1: In November, Matlock fans voted Ross Durrant their Player of the Month.

Travelling Workington fans saw the young Gladiators goalkeeper put in an early claim for the December award in a man-of-the-match performance.

Durrant pulled off four excellent second-half stops to add to another top-class save in the first.

In the end, he was the difference between Reds going home with nothing when they should have been going back with at least a share of the spoils.

For although Reds were unable to add to their little run of two straight wins, by recording that elusive first away victory in the league, it was a similar, spirited effort.

In fact, overall, it was a cracking game played in poor, wet conditions and even the Matlock fans were saying at the end a draw would have been a fair result.

But, as joint manager Dave Hewson, admitted: “It's points we want more than performances.”

That’s very true, as Reds continue to linger in the relegation zone, but the consistency of performance over the last three fixtures has to be an encouragement and something to be built on.

Durrant had started his heroics after 15 minutes when he went full length to turn away a fierce drive from the edge of the area by Niall Cowperthwaite.

It had been a frantic start by both sides and Luke Hinsley had Matlock’s first chance when he fired wide from 10 yards.

But it was Hinsley who gave Matlock the lead on 28 minutes from their best move of the match.

From their own half, they built neatly and when Craig King found full-back Lee Beevers overlapping down the left, he produced a fine cross which was turned home by Hinsley.

Workington responded positively and deservedly drew level seven minutes later.

A free-kick into the area was headed on by Scott Allison and Cowperthwaite found himself free, but at a tight angle. He didn’t hesitate, though, in cracking a fine shot past Durrant.

There was a suggestion at half-time that referee Kenwyn Hughes was going to call off the contest because of a patch of wet and muddy ground by the dug-outs, near halfway.

After extended forking by the Matlock ground-staff and persuasion from both teams, he decided to restart.

It seemed every decision he made after that in the first 15 minutes went against the Reds – a corner, free-kick and then penalty which were hotly contested by Workington defenders.

On 54 minutes, Kyle May was adjudged to have deliberately blocked-off Jonathan Wafula and the penalty was given.

Fortunately, Aaron Taylor wasn’t even called-upon as Marcus Marshall fired high over the bar.

Reds response was immediate, as if fired-up by the decisions that were going against them.

A good move down the left ended with Kieran Maguire, who had been excellent in the first half, fitting in a low shot which somehow Durrant blocked with an outstretched leg.

Then, Allison fired in a low shot from just inside the area after a smart turn, and again, the home keeper was down to block with his legs.

During a succession of corners, Sam Smith went close with an effort which Durrant spectacularly one-handed over the bar.

Jason Walker thought he had made the breakthrough with a snap-shot from the edge of the box which the diving Durrant turned round the post.

After all that, it was a real smack in the face when Matlock scored what proved to be the winner.

A corner wasn’t cleared and it fell nicely in the area for debutant Wafula to score with a shot through a crowded six-yard box.

Reds did have a bit more pressure in the closing stages but Matlock defended solidly and the visitors were restricted to long-range efforts from Conor Tinnion and Cowperthwaite which were well off target.

Match Facts

Matlock: Durrant, Hare, Beevers, Hollingsworth, Wiley, Yates (Beatson 90), Wafula, Taylor, Hinsley (Whitehead 90 + 2), Marshall (Westcarr 71), King. Subs (not used) Hall, Pierrepoint.

Goals: Hinsley (28), Wafula (78).

Workington: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree, May, Smith, Cowperthwaite, Holt (Joel 81), Maguire (Hubbold 79), Walker, Allison, Tinnion. Subs (not used) Mellen, Paterson, Casson.

Goal: Cowperthwaite (35)

Referee: Kenwyn Hughes

Crowd: 346

Star Man: Niall Cowperthwaite