Workington Reds 1 Marine 0: Workington Reds continued to claw back points on league leaders Blyth Spartans as they ground out a tough 1-0 victory over visiting Marine.

In testing conditions, with rain and wind sweeping Borough Park, this was never going to be a free-flowing encounter.

But Reds showed their mettle as they piled on the pressure in the first half and soaked it up in the second to get the vital three points.

With only one other Evo-Stik premier game surviving the weather, Reds remain in second but moved four points clear of third placed Salford, who they meet on Tuesday night, and only two points away from leaders Blyth.

Reds had the better of the opening opportunities, with the first real chance of the game falling to Gareth Arnison who just pulled his shot wide of the goal with only the keeper to beat.

Good work from Joe McGee set up the next chance but as he turned and whipped in the shot, it was blocked in the area by Arnison. He then put the ball away in the back of the net but was denied by the referee.

At this point it was all Reds but they could not seem to find the finish required.

A free kick for a foul on Conor Tinnion was swung into the box and it was cleared by the Marine defence but only as far as Joe McGee but his shot was just stabbed wide.

Tinnion was then set loose but the keeper stopped his shot although he could not keep it in play and Reds won a corner.

It was swung in too deep but headed back into the area and Kyle May had the fans on their feet as he just put the ball over the crossbar.

The breakthrough finally came on 27 minutes. Reds won a corner and it was swung right across the goal where Sam Smith made his run by the far post and slotted it home for 1-0.

Marine got a free kick which was lofted in to the Reds penalty area but Kyle May was on hand to clear the danger.

The visitors were having their best spell of the half forcing Reds onto the back foot but then, from a Phil McLuckie clearance, Tinnion was released down the middle. His cross found Joe McGee wide out but he was caught offside.

Keeper Alex Mitchell put his body on the line after a mix up on the edge of the area but Reds survived to go in 1-0 ahead at half time.

Marine came out with purpose for the start of the second half and were dominating proceedings with Reds restricted to the odd break.

Rob Wilson and Jake Simpson both got in crucial clearances as the Mariners came back at their hosts.

Then James Earl picked up an injury and was replaced by Josh Calvert on 51 minutes.

Although they did not have the majority of the possession in the half, on the break Reds still looked dangerous.

And as the ball was played across Marine’s goal, keeper Matthew Cooper had to make a superb save to stop the shot of sub Scott Allison, on for Arnison.

Allison’s fresh legs gave Reds some new impetus and he broke down the right and then slipped in a nice cross for McGee but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner.

The ball was played back into the area but an offside flag halted Reds chances.

Lewis Codling looked set to level matters for the visitors but his shot hit the crossbar and the ref blew up for offside.

Marine were getting the better of the chances and causing Reds problems. Codling broke again down the right and Reds were scrambling to get men back but were saved by the offside flag.

With six minutes remaining, Marine had their best chance of the match when they won a free kick on the edge of the area.

Sub Karl Clair stepped up to the ball and his shot cleared the wall but went just wide of the target.

Allison had a couple of nice touches on the ball before putting in a looping cross to meet the onrushing Tinnion but his shot went over the bar.

Jake Simpson then played a long ball up to Allison who got the ball back into the penalty area. McLuckie came sliding in but the Mariners defence just beat him to it.

Mitchell was called on to make a good save from Codling on the stroke of 90 minutes but Reds held out to clinch the win and three well-earned points.

Workington Reds: Mitchell, Simpson, Wright, May, Smith, Earl (Calvert 51), McLuckie, Wilson, Arnison (Alllison 56), McGee, Tinnion. Subs not used: McCartney, Grandison, Jamieson.

Goals: Smith (27).

Marine: Cooper, Wainwright, Short, Goulding, Foley (Clair 79), Nicholas, Bellew (Sharp 79), Burton, Mitchley, Ellams, Codling. Subs not used: Peers, Willis, Hessey.

Referee: B Cropp.

Crowd: 428.