Recap

Reds survived a bright start from an in-form Leek side, then dominating proceedings for the remainder of the first half but a one goal lead invariably leads to trouble and so it proved.

Workmanlike Leek took advantage of a rare misunderstanding from Reds and applied some late punishment with an equaliser which could have been prevented.

The hosts were fortunate not to be a goal down very early in the game when Will Saxon broke through the lines and looked a certain scorer when bearing down on goal.  But a superbly timed interception from Sam Smith saved the day when he deflected the ball to safety.  The defensive linchpin was injured in the process and he completed the remaining eighty eight minutes in great discomfort.   

That was probably Leek’s best opportunity until their equaliser fifteen minutes from the end and Workington could have been comfortably ahead in between.

In the final quarter of an hour of the first half, they were in complete control but the only goal to show for their efforts was Paul Marshall’s first goal for the club after thirty minutes.  He was on hand to thump the ball into the net after Daniel Roberts’ had partially saved Steven Rigg’s downward header.

A second goal at that point would have been so important but Brad Carroll’s acrobatic header, which thumped against Roberts’ right hand post, was the nearest they came.

Matty Clarke, still searching for that elusive first goal, had two efforts on target – the first safely gathered, the second causing a second or two of panic for Roberts.

Clarke was again in action soon after, this time making a fine defensive clearance.

A sweet strike from Marshall resulted in the ball hitting the net for a second time but a blatant push in the area was penalised, curtailing the premature celebrations.

Reds were not as fluent after the break and Town enjoyed plenty of possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

It was from a Workington error that the Staffordshire outfit pieced together their equaliser.  The ball was played forward to latest recruit, Levi Amantchi, but Leek smartly intercepted the ball and mounted a swift counter attack.

Saxon was in no mood to spurn his second gilt-edged chance and he drove the ball into the far corner of Jim Atkinson’s net to restore parity.

The goal did inject a sense of urgency into Reds play briefly but it was huff and puff stuff which lacked conviction and, by the finish, they were probably happy with the point.    

Workington: Atkinson, Clarke, Charlton, Carroll (Leslie, 88), Smith, Casson, Gooden (Bowman, 80), Hubbold, Rigg (Amantchi, 61), Marshall, Lawrence.  Substitutes – Jerome, Eccles (not used).

Leek Town: Roberts, Scott Wara (Stevenson, 46), Keenan, Grocott, Harrison, Ryder, Dyer (Bavanganga, 61), Reeves, Bell, Trickett-Smith, Saxon (Grice, 87).  Substitutes – Hurley, Booth (not used).

Referee: Nat Cox, Blackpool    

Bookings: Carroll (Workington), Saxon (Leek Town)

Attendance: 672