By John Walsh

Last updated at 13:00, Monday, 09 March 2009

Gainsborough 1 Workington Reds 2: Anthony Wright struck twice to earn Workington their first Blue Square North double of the season and add to Trinity’s misery at Northolme.

Anthony Wright, right

This was the third home game in a row in which Gainsborough have been beaten and their bright play-off prospects have now disintegrated.

But if Wright was Reds’ two goal match-winner, the match hero was probably goalkeeper Adam Collin who produced two superb saves in the opening 20 minutes when the Cumbrians were under the hammer.

Trinity, beaten 5-0 at Borough Park last month and 4-0 home losers in mid-week, came out of the traps with all guns blazing and Workington were forced almost continually onto the back foot.

Collin, who looked confident throughout, made one excellent stop to deny Ryan Mallon who stole in after a rare moment of hesitancy from Kyle May.

Then it was Collin again going full length to turn aside a close range effort by Luke Beckett who kept Reds in the game.

Mallon also hit the post with a diving header and Collin had to be strong and show a safe pair of hands in dealing with a succession of dangerous crosses into the box.

It was completely against the run of play on 25 minutes when Reds took the lead. From their first free-kick of the game, that mounted their first serious threat, they grabbed the initiative.

Andy Langford was fouled on half way and May hoisted the free-kick into the Trinity area where it was missed by the defenders and Anthony Wright stole in behind to side-foot the ball into the bottom corner.

Teams are reckoned to be at their most vulnerable when they have just scored and that proved to be the case for Workington.

Trinity’s response was swift and accurate as they drew level inside 50 seconds.

Mallon did well down the outside and his low cross from the right evaded everyone except the onrushing Beckett who couldn’t miss from a yard out.

Jonny Wright almost sneaked through before half-time but was denied close-in by a block from home keeper Adam Sollitt.

Phil McLuckie did get the ball in the net when he headed home a cross from Anthony Wright but the flag was already raised for an offside decision.

However, in the second-half it was Sollitt who stood between Reds and a handsome win because the visitors carved out enough chances to have won the game comfortably.

Twice Jonny Wright got clear and only had Sollitt to beat but on each occasion the keeper managed to block the shots with his legs.

The goal that decided the contest came seven minutes from the end. McLuckie was pulled down in full flight on the edge of the area.

Anthony Wright assumed responsibility and a low, curling free kick through a gap in the Trinity wall found the corner of the net despite the flailing hand of Sollitt.

Late on Tony Hopper picked up a burst nose when he put his head among the flying boots to try and reach a cross a few yards in front of goal.

Then Andy Cook – who showed up well in a late 20 minute burst as substitute – could have had his first Workington goal. He was clean through on goal but once again Sollitt’s legs proved to be an impassable barrier.

Reds boss Darren Edmondson said: “It was an important victory and we were pleased with the way the team responded to what Viv and I said to them at half-time.”

STAR MAN – Adam Collin – Confident throughout but his saves and general composure in the first quarter proved crucial as the game panned out. Looks a keeper on top of his game.

Reds: Collin, Langford, Rowntree, May, Andrews, McLuckie, Vipond, Hopper, J. Wright, Arnison (Cook 68). A. Wright (Robinson 90). Subs (not used) Hardman, Edmondson.

Referee:Andrew Madley, Ossett

Crowd: 298

First published at 11:34, Monday, 09 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk