It is still stalemate at half time in the Cumberland Cup quarter-final tie between Workington Athletic and Workington Reds.

Reds, current holders of the trophy, face a tough test in a strong looking Athletic outfit, who looked to stamp their authority on the game in the early stages.

Athletic dominated for long periods of the half and looked the more dangerous on the attack and were probably unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

It was a fast start to the game from both sides with Reds sporting another youthful side as they played their third match in six days.

There was still a smattering of experience with Gari Rowntree and Dan Wordsworth in defence and Dave Symington and Scott Allison up front.

And, as last year in this competition, a tight schedule forced joint manager Lee Andrews to name himself on the bench.

Athletic were forced into a late reshuffle when prolific scorer Matthew Perry was not 100 per cent and he had to drop to the bench.

Reds had the first shot of note when young Ben MacDonald shot from outside the area, the ball just shooting over the top of the bar.

Then Ashley Kelly bore down on goal for Athletic, only a determined effort from Rowntree blocking his chance.

Sheldon Mossop, starting the game after appearing on the bench for Reds a couple of times recently, got into the box well but he was just closed down by the defence as he took his shot from an angle and it went the wrong side of the near post.

But Athletic were determined to make their mark on the game and it took a block on the line to stop Gareth Brunton from opening the scoring.

MacDonald had another powerful shot for Reds and this time it was on target but Athletic keeper James Bryden reacted quickly to palm it out.

Scott Allison tried his luck ducking and weaving in the box but Athletic eventually cleared the danger and got the ball away to Tommy Whitehead who broke downfield.

He looked to go one-on-one with keeper Tom Fowler but the Reds shot-stopper gathered at a second attempt.

The best chance came inside the 26th minute and it came for Athletic as Marc Messenger hit the post and Reds were the forced to defend four corners in succession.

And Athletic danger man Kelly was nearly in but his little flick again went agonisingly inches past the target.

Messenger was desperately unlucky to be denied a second time when he got onto the end of another good cross from Kelly only to see it clip the crossbar.

Reds fought they way out of defence with Rowntree and he played in Mossop in the area but his shot lacked power and the keeper dealt with it easily.

Into the last minute of the half and Reds had a good chance to break the deadlock when Dave Symington stood over a free kick around 25-yards out.

He struck it with power but it just shaved the wrong side of the post and the two sides went in at the break all level.