Workington Reds 2 Blyth Spartans 0: Workington Reds pulled off a superb victory over table-topping Blyth Spartans at Borough Park.

Aided by a spectacular strike from Jake Simpson, Reds took the upper-hand in this tense encounter that keeps them in second position in the Evo-Stik Premier.

Simpson’s goal was a belter and the second shortly after from Scott Allison was also worthy of mention.

Workington had the better chances in the first half but could not manage to make that vital breakthrough.

Blyth had an early chance as Michael Richardson released Wilson Kneeshaw and it looked as though as though he had got in behind the defence but they managed to clear.

First corner went to Reds and Conor Tinnion looped the ball in but following a goalmouth scramble the Blyth keeper got his hand to the ball.

The first real chance fell to Tinnion after some great work in defence from Gari Rowntree. The ball was played upfield and Joe McGee did well to get the cross in, Rob Wilson could not get a shot but the ball came back to Tinnion whose strike just went over the bar.

Workington came under some pressure following a free-kick to Blyth just outside the area with Kyle May called on to clear the danger.

Tinnion had the crowd on their feet moments later as his shot on the edge of the area curled  the wrong side of the post.

There followed a great break from McGee to get the ball back into the Blyth area and it fell to Tinnion once more but he had his shot blocked.

Damen Mullen received a yellow card for a foul on Phil McLuckie and Reds were on the attack once more, winning a corner but Tinnion’s effort just skimmed the Reds’ heads in the box.

Just on the stroke of half-time Simpson broke up the right and got a good cross in but it was blocked as the whistle sounded with the score still 0-0.

The start to the second half was pretty scrappy with no real flair from either side on display. Anthony Wright struck on the run but it went way over the crossbar.

Then a great effort from Matthew Wade forced the first real save of the match in the 61st minute but Alex Mitchell was up to the task in the Reds’ goal and tipped it over the bar.

A corner from Tinnion went close before it was bundled out and then Blyth’s Nathan Buddle was shown a yellow card after an altercation in the box.

Just into the 75th minute and a fantastic goal from Jake Simpson shooting from 30-yards out blasted into the back of the net to finally break the deadlock.

A resurgent Reds then attacked again looking to extend their advantage but this time Blyth were wise to the antics of Simpson and his next attempt was blocked.

A dangerous corner deep into the Reds penalty area had to be dismissed with a goal line save from Sam Smith much to the relief of the home dugout.

Workington then made it 2-0 as a long ball from Smith found Scott Allison who chipped over the advancing keeper into the net.

Another good break from Reds followed. This time it was Phil McLuckie bearing down on the keeper but the Blyth shot-stopper dealt with the final effort.

A late free-kick for Blyth was taken by Dale but it took a deflection and landed in Mitchell’s safe hands and the whistle sounded soon after for a great victory.

Workington Reds : Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Smith, Wright, McLuckie, Wilson (Earl 65), Arnison (Allison 65), McGee, Tinnion (Calvert 88). Subs not used: McCartney, Grandison.

Goals: Simpson (75), Smith (84).

Yellow cards: Earl, Rowntree.

Blyth Spartans: McHugh, Morse, Watson, Buddle, Reid, Mullen, Wearmouth, Richardson, Kneeshaw, Wade, Dale. Subs: Davis, Robinson, Hooks, Nicholson, Otte.

Yellow cards: Mullen, Buddle.

Crowd: 774.

Referee: I Gittins