Workington Reds finished on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline this afternoon against Basford United.

In what was a great performance for Reds they could just not get get on the scoresheet, despite causing numerous problems for their visitors.

Basford could thank their former Republic of Ireland Youth and Under-21 keeper Saul Deeney for the victory as he pulled off a string of exceptional 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, and it stayed at 1-0.

Workington came back out in the second half and right onto the attack with Sam Smith just not able to put away a dangerous looking corner and then a shot from Carroll just lacking the power to beat the keeper.

Walker had a second penalty call turned down by the referee and then another agonising miss as Carroll battled to win the ball in midfield and slotted a great cross across to Holt whose angled shot rolled past the keeper but also the wrong side of the far post.

A thunderbolt from Tinnion forced yet another top notch save from Deeney who was keeping his side in the game as Workington continued to press and then an effort from Gari Rowntree just clipped the top of the crossbar and went over.

Then, completely against the run of play, Basford broke down to the opposite end of the field and sub Zak Goodson was allowed to get in an unopposed header into the right hand corner to double their lead.

This was a body blow for Reds and it was only to get worse as Taylor came out to make an initial punched clearance but it fell to the feet of Jack Thomas and he put in a looping ball over the top of the backtracking Taylor for a third goal.

Both Thompson and Carroll had shots blocked in a crowded goalmouth for Reds and it was to be Thompson's last action as he was brought off to make way for new signing Dan Carmichael.

Deeney made another save at close range from Holt and you got the feeling that it just was not going to be Workington's day despite the fact they were playing the better football of the two sides.

Tinnion had a final blast at goal in added time but it was above the target and Reds finished on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline.

Reds: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Smith, Carroll, Holt, Cowperthwaite, Walker, Thompson (Carmichael 72), Tinnion. Subs: Joel, Calvert, Brotherston, Maguire.

Yellow cards: Walker 48, Rowntree 55, Carroll 81,

Basford: Deeney, Bateman, Roma, Nash, Carr, Galinski (Goodson 40), Thomas, Bell-Toxtle, Watson (Tomlinson 87), Harrad, Reid. Subs: Leslie, Stoke.

Goals: Harrad 13pen, Goodson 66, Thomas 68,

Referee: Ian Gittins.

Half time: 0-1

Crowd: 511.

Star Man: Brad Carroll.