Workington Reds can count themselves unlucky to be trailing at the break against Basford United as they certainly caused their visitors plenty of problems but could not get on the scoresheet.

Basford could thank their former Republic of Ireland Youth and Under-21 keeper Saul Deeney for keeping them ahead as he pulled off a couple of exceptional diving saves to deny the home side the goal they really deserved for their efforts.

The first real chance of note came around the 10 minute mark when hard work from Brad Carroll got the ball in to the experienced Garry Thompson and he then forced a fine diving save from Deeney.

The resulting corner was cleared for a second and this time Reds caused more danger as a shot from Jason Walker was cleared off the line.

But then Basford got the ball to the opposite end of the pitch and Matty Douglas tripped James Reid in the area with referee Ian Gittins immediately pointing to the spot.

Shaun Harrad stepped up to take it and made no mistake to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Reds had to survive another onslaught on their goal but they came away and Niall Cowperthwaite put a great ball in from a free kick but nobody could get on to the end of it to make it count as they looked to get back on level terms.

Jordan Holt had a shot on the turn blocked at the final minute and then good work from Rowntree and Douglas got the ball into Conor Tinnion whose diving header went agonisingly over the bar.

Workington began to pile on the pressure again and this time Walker put in a cross for Tinnion whose flick on forced another good diving save from the visiting keeper.

A flick on from a Basford defender fell well for Brad Carroll and he took the defence on, racing up the field and let loose with a thunderous shot that had to be tipped over the bar.

The resulting corner was cleared right into the path of Jack Thomas and he looked to be going one-on-one with Aaran Taylor before Carroll tracked back and put in a timely clearance.

Reds had a penalty call turned down by the keeper when Walker looked to have been pulled down in the box but the referee was having none of it.

And just before half time another good run from Carroll ended with the shot going over the bar much to the despair of the watching 511-strong crowd at Borough Park.