Recap
Two minutes into the five of added time and a goal down, a draw has to be considered a good result but Mark Fell admitted it was two points dropped when commenting on the game afterwards.
Workington were dominating the game in the first half and it was a shock to the system when they reached half-time a goal down.
They got back on terms midway through the second half, thanks to a stunning Efe Ambrose goal, but promptly handed the initiative back to Morpeth and went behind again.
It took an ice-cool Steven Rigg to salvage a point with a stoppage time equaliser, blasted home from the spot.
Yet the match statistics would suggest Workington are being wasteful. The possession percentages, the corner count and noteworthy chances at goal were stacked heavily in their favour yet they had to rely on their reserves of character to rescue a point.
Reds began well and there was a good tempo to the game, unlike recent outings when they started sluggishly.
Kai Nugent, in particular, looked lively in the early stages. He had one shot saved, saw a free-kick drift narrowly wide and was then thwarted a second time by Dan Langley.
Ruben Grewal was just off target with another effort and Morpeth had hardly threatened at the other end.
But their first two efforts at goal silenced the home crowd and got them into the game. Nic Bollado’s firm shot was pushed away by the hitherto unused Alex Mitchell then, in the forty-third minute, The Highwaymen, committed daylight robbery.
That’s probably unfair on Will Dowling who scored the opener at the second attempt, after Mitchell parried his original shot. So, from being second best, Town suddenly had something to defend and Workington were clearly deflated.
Having started the game on the front foot, Reds struggled to get going on the restart and it took a wonderful solo dribble from the outstanding Grewal to re-ignite their fire.
Mid-way through the second period, the champagne moment arrived. Dav Symington delivered the perfect corner and Ambrose timed his run perfectly to meet the ball and thump home a wonderful header.
His first goal for the club was celebrated with his traditional trademark double somersault and that, surely, would prove the turning point of the game. Or would it?
Morpeth dampened home spirits once again, though, and Luke James restored their narrow advantage with a goal after seventy-two minutes. He was allowed to twist and turn before finishing in style.
A thunderbolt from Symington narrowly missed the target and that seemed to be Workington’s last chance.
Home supporters drifted towards the exits and there would be some who missed the late drama. The majority who remained were rewarded. Jamie Allen appeared to be tripped from behind in a crowded penalty area and the referee saw enough to award the hosts a last-gasp spot-kick.
Skipper Rigg had to wait momentarily whilst order was restored before blasting past Langley for the late, late equaliser.
Workington haven’t got their just rewards in recent outings but the point obtained on this occasion sent everyone home reasonably happy. It also ended the year as it began, a 2-2 draw on home soil!
Workington: Mitchell, Little (Wane, 73), Clarke, Casson, Swinglehurst, Ambrose, Stephenson (Symington, 55), Grewal, Rigg, Nugent, Allen. Substitutes – Wilkinson, Christian, Eccles (not used).
Morpeth Town: Langley, Evans, Robson, Dowling, Henderson, King, Foalle, Hickey, James, Bollado, McGowan (Buddle, 75). Substitutes – Greaves, Snowball, Chater, Griggs (not used).
Referee: Andy Sykes
Bookings: Little, Swinglehurst (Workington), Foalle, Hickey, Bollado, McGowan, Buddle (Morpeth Town).
Attendance: 918