Last updated at 12:15, Monday, 16 April 2012

Corby Town 3 Workington Reds 3: The players representing two former steel towns served up a thrilling contest with Reds recovering from what looked a certain defeat to collect another priceless point in their quest to beat the drop.

Mark Boyd

They were two goals down midway through the second half but, somehow, mustered enough character to salvage a draw scoring two wonderful goals as this incredible end to the Conference North campaign continues.

Unbeaten in six, Reds are still not assured of finishing above the relegation zone but proud manager Darren Edmondson said: “They can take heart from that performance – it was an incredible comeback.

“The three goals we scored were quality and should have won us the game but we defended poorly today and made it difficult for ourselves.

He also praised opponents Corby who have been on a wretched run of form at their new ground but made it difficult for Reds with their direct, robust style.

Corby, still to face Vauxhall Motors and Harrogate Town, could yet help Reds’ cause but they were in no mood to hand out any favours in this encounter of contrasting styles.

They opened the scoring in the 21st minute after Reds had needlessly conceded a corner. Andy Hall’s cross into the box was only partially cleared and the ball fell to defender Leon Hibbert who didn’t connect properly but still managed to guide the ball through a congested area and into the net.

Reds responded well but their passing game lacked a cutting edge until 10 minutes before the break when Phil McLuckie equalised with a fine goal.

Jordan Connerton and Gareth Arnison had combined well on the left and, when the ball came across the six yard box, the energetic McLuckie replicated his goal against Colwyn Bay after converting past a startled Nick Bennion.

As good as they were up to the interval, Reds were poor after the break and a disastrous 20-minute period almost cost them the game.

Corby were first to every ball and hungry whilst Reds starting to concede possession and looked sloppy all over the pitch. It was no surprise when Town regained the lead five minutes after the restart, with Gary King finding time and space on the edge of the box to crash home a fine shot after Reds’ defending from a corner was, once again, questionable.

And the game seemed to be slipping frustratingly away when the hosts made it 3-1 on the hour. King turned provider with a free kick from the left which Delroy Gordon headed home unchallenged from just inside the area.

It had been Reds worst defensive display since the shambles at Hinckley but, to their credit, they responded with a magnificent 20-minute recovery culminating in two very important goals.

The first came from a free-kick after Dan Wordsworth had been hauled to the ground by Greg Smith just outside the area. Mark Boyd capped an excellent 90-minute shift with the perfect free-kick which found the top corner of Bennion’s net with the home keeper helpless.

That 69th-minute strike was probably Reds’ first serious shot on goal in the second half but it changed the game. It was now they who were in the ascendancy and back pedalling Town became a little anxious.

The comeback was completed 10 minutes later when Anthony Wright marked his birthday with the best goal of his Workington career.

Collecting the ball some 30 yards from goal, Wright looked as though he was about to set off on one of his familiar runs into the box but, instead, unleashed a shot of such power it almost loosened the net from the goal frame.

Sensing they could still win the game, Reds were pushing for the decider for the final few minutes but to no avail. Nevertheless, a point gained when all seemed lost felt like a victory to the large travelling support.

Still two nerve-racking games to go of this long difficult season but, with spirit in abundance, Reds have enough going for them to complete the job.

Workington Reds: Taylor, Andrews, Flynn, May (Berkeley), Boyd, Hewson (Green), Connerton, Arnison, Wright. Substitutes: Sloan for Green, Rowntree and Scott (not used).

Referee: Holmes, Wakefield

Attendance: 290

Star man: Mark Boyd was cool, calm, and effective throughout the game and provided that extra bit of class when it was most needed.

First published at 11:30, Monday, 16 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk