MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 0-1 Warrington Rylands

It may get worse before it gets better as Reds fell to a fourth successive defeat after another closely fought encounter.

Three of those losses have come after reasonably sound defensive performances but solid displays at the back are being undermined because of the lack of potency at the other end of the pitch.

And that was the case again with Reds looking an effective unit in all but the goalscoring department.

A few half chances were created but the nearest they came to a goal was a passage of play that didn’t involve them. A stray back-pass from Adam Caddick deceived Luke Pilling and the ball was rolling towards his own net before he recovered and retrieved the ball to save his blushes.

With Steven Rigg and David Symington, Workington’s only goal scorers of note, experiencing a drought by their standards winning matches will remain a problem.

Rigg saw one first half volley just clear the bar, after Josh Galloway’s knock down provided the assist, and a late header by the number 9 was gathered by Pilling.

Symington saw Pilling gather one of his freekicks without too much concern and a second half effort hit the post but play had already been stopped when the skipper had strayed offside.

Other than that, Galloway’s cross-cum-shot landed on the roof of Pilling’s net, Keelan Leslie was off balance when he sent a shot into the night sky and Hayden Atkinson’s second half strike missed the target.

Ben Hough’s weak shot for Rylands didn’t trouble Alex Mitchell in the first half and the Reds’ ‘keeper enjoyed his easiest shift so far.

Matty Regan was rock solid at the back for Rylands but he was off target with a shot when he ventured forward after the break.

And on that basis, a goalless draw would probably have been the right outcome.

Until, in the eighty-eighth minute, a mistake by Charlie Barnes, who had been excellent throughout, was punished by the visitors. They worked the ball into the box and substitute Eric Yahaya guided past the helpless Mitchell for the late decider.

A tough one to take.

And frustration got the better of Reds just before the final whistle as they became embroiled in an unsightly melee involving players from both sides. Yellow cards were brandished but, thankfully, order was restored by the officials.

Workington: Mitchell, Barnes, Leslie (Reid, 83), Casson, Dickinson, Atkinson, Symington, Ellis, Rigg, Park (Deans, 66), Galloway. Substitutes – Bell, Dawson, Swinglehurst (not used).

Warrington Rylands: Pilling, Smith C, Hall, Regan, Holding, Neild, Hough (Hurst, 62), Hardcastle, Waring, Burton (Yahaya, 67), Caddick (Akpo, 90). Substitutes – Martin, Smith K (not used).

Referee: Joseph Hind

Bookings: Barnes, Symington, Atkinson (Workington), Holding, Yahaya, Burton, Akpo (Warrington Rylands)

Attendance: 681