Another wretched start costs Workington Reds dear in their defeat to Hednesford Town

Another wretched start cost Workington dearly as they tumbled to a second successive Evo-Stik Premier League defeat.

More worryingly is the contrast in stats. Four straight wins had been achieved without conceding a goal but these two reversals have seen Reds concede seven without registering once themselves.

It was almost a sense of déjà vu for Dave Hewson and Lee Andrews watching from the side-lines as they saw their side concede twice in the first six minutes. Surely it wasn’t going to be another Stourbridge.

A week earlier, they had gone behind to a fifth-minute penalty and, by the 27th minute, were trailing 5-0.

Thankfully, there were no more goals for Hednesford, although they could also have reached five by the break, but in the second half, the visitors rarely looked like scoring as Reds enjoyed the majority of possession and territory.

But even with the flow of the game going their way, Reds lacked real penetration.

There was some neat and tidy football but not the desire in the opposition penalty area to get on the end of things.

The Hednesford central defenders Gavin Caines and Dan Brenan were particularly dominant and keeper Dane Crane wasn’t tested enough until too late in the game.

The dread of another poor start loomed large when Kyle May was booked for a trip on Tony Clarke just outside the area. Tom Thorley’s free-kick was well placed and Aaran Taylor was stretched, turning it onto the bar.

But from the rebound Jamie Sheldon was quickest to react, diving forward to head home the opener.

Reds fell further behind on six minutes. Jake Simpson lost his footing, giving Dave McDermott a clear run at goal and he drilled the ball past Taylor.

Workington took time to clear their heads and they could have fallen further behind.

Taylor grabbed the ball on his own line after a hectic scramble and then Clarke broke away to get away an angled shot, which just squeezed beyond the foot of the far post.

Reds did finish the half in better shape with James Earl and Josh Calvert both sending well-struck efforts whistling over the bar from 25 yards.

It was a different game on the restart with Workington dominant and forcing Hednesford onto the back foot from the off.

But there weren’t enough efforts on goal to match the amount of possession they enjoyed, apart from a thumping effort from Joe McGee which was spectacularly turned round the post by Crane.

McGee was always Reds' likeliest scorer, full of energy, elusive and determined as he looks to be back to his busy best.

On 91 minutes, Red were awarded a penalty after Brenan had pushed and pulled Scott Allison in an aerial duel in the box. Even Hednesford manager Paul Casey agreed with the decision.

But Reds, who had scored four perfect penalties in mid-week to make League Cup progress, fouled-up from the spot.

Elliot Newby, who hit the best penalty against Ramsbottom, changed direction and in going for the bottom corner, saw Crane go down to turn it round the post.

Then, two minutes later, Reds were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and a well-struck effort from Dave Symington seemed to be heading for the top corner when Crane got there to claw it wide.

Workington: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree (Waterston 88), May, Douglas, Earl (Wight 71), McGee, Calvert, Ryan (Symington 58), Allison, Newby. Subs (not used) Henderson, Fowler.

Hednesford: Crane, Rowley, Flanagan, Thorley, Caines, Brenan, Matthews (Leek 58), Sheldon, Clarke, Sammons, McDermott (Shearer 78). Subs (not used) Dunkley, Forsyth, Hutton.

Goals: Sheldon (2), McDermott (6).

Referee: Chris Keightley.

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