Workington Reds 2 Ramsbottom Utd 2 (Workington Reds win 4-2 on penalties)

It took penalties to decide a winner in this League Cup tie but fittingly it was Reds' key man Joe McGee that scored the final penalty to send his side into the next round.

The score was tied at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes as Reds took the lead twice and lost it within minutes both times.

McGee and Elliot Newby scored in ordinary time with former Salford man Gareth Seddon replying both times for Ramsbottom.

But in the end two saves from Tom Fowler, who replaced Aaran Taylor in goal, and penalties from Jake Simpson, Newby, Anthony Wright and McGee saw Reds home.

There were eight changes to the starting line-up from last Saturday and the management team looked to give other players a chance to shine.

It was an action packed opening to this Integro League Cup tie and Workington Reds asserted their dominance early on.

Wright, starting for just the second time this season, flicked on a lovely ball into the path of David Symington who found himself with space.

He put in a good cross with Reds players up and into the box but it was well blocked by Ramsbottom and went out for a corner that was then dealt with.

Moments later, Reds went close again as first Joe McGee and then Conor Tinnion saw efforts halted by the visitors' defence before Wright's final shot went wide of the target.

A left-foot shot from Tinnion floated towards goal but just went over the bar and Reds were creating chances aplenty.

McGee had a mazy run into the box but he slightly lost his footing and his attempt was well wide. He won the ball again minutes later and again he took on the Ramsbottom defence.

This time his shot was on target but the keeper Charlie Albinson was in control.

A clash of heads between James Earl and Nathaniel Taylor saw Earl leave the field to be patched up, with Newby entering the field of play.

Then, moments later, Matty Douglas came worst off in a clash in the Reds goalmouth, taking a knock to the head and he had to be replaced by Josh Calvert.

In the 34th minute, Reds finally found the back of the net as McGee turned in the box and took his chance to watch the ball sail into the top corner.

But just one minute later and the visitors were level when a free-kick found Seddon and he struck it well past Fowler in the Reds goal.

Reds could have gone back in front when Robbie Hebson got on the end of a cross from Newby and his effort missed the target by inches.

In the end, despite Reds having the majority of possession and chances, they could not edge back in front and went in 1-1 at half time.

The second half was only seconds old when Tinnion won a free-kick just outside the area. Symington stepped up and struck it well but it hit the Ramsbottom wall and ricocheted away.

Ramsbottom broke and a curling shot from Matthew Atherton had to be tipped over the bar by Fowler.

It was a selfless piece of play from McGee that allowed Reds to get back in front. He combined with Waterston before entering the box and looking up to see Newby in space on the far side.

He opted to cross to the onrushing Newby, who made no mistake in slamming the ball into the back of the net.

But yet again the lead was extremely short lived, as a defensive mix-up allowed Seddon to pick up a loose ball and put it away for 2-2.

Kyle May had a chance to put Workington back in the ascendancy when he connected with a ball from the corner but it went the wrong side of the post.

Lee Botham saw his header go wide at the opposite end and it was starting to look like it would not be Reds' night.

Newby had a powerful shot from distance but straight at the keeper and then Seddon's effort for Ramsbottom sailed over the top of the crossbar as both teams searched for that vital goal.

Ramsbottom were piling the pressure on Reds' defence but it held firm and, on the break, Josh Calvert had a shot from just outside the area which went wide.

Reds were looking a completely different side from the first half, disjointed and they found themelves on the back foot on several occasions.

Paul Fildes and then Alex Meaney tested the defence and it was looking increasingly likely the tie would go to penalties.

Into the last minute, McGee went on a superb run into the box before laying the ball off for Hebson, who slipped and missed his chance. It fell for Calvert but his drive was well over the bar.

Symington tried his luck from 20 yards out and the keeper spilled the ball but managed to regather before Waterston could react.

Neither side could made any headway and, with the score still deadlocked at 2-2 when the final whistle sounded, the game headed to a penalty shootout.

Simpson put the first penalty away cleanly and Seddon did the same for Ramsbottom.

Newby struck his penalty hard and it wedged into the top right-hand corner and then Fowler read the penalty attempt from Josh Askew well and he saved it.

Symington saw his attempt saved before Sam Freakes put his shot away to level matters again.

Wright made no mistake for Reds and Fowler was the hero again as he went to the left to save Dean Stott's attempt.

Then, it was all down to McGee and he calmly slotted it away for the win 4-2 on penalties.

Reds: Fowler, Simpson, Symington, May, Douglas (Calvert 29), Earl (Newby 30), Hebson, Wright, Waterston, McGee, Tinnion (Henderson 50). Subs not used: Ryan, Allison.

Goals: McGee 34, Newby 55,

Ramsbottom: Albison, Roscoe, Askew, Stott, Botham, Linwood, Crankshaw (Fildes 82), Freakes, Salmon (Seddon 11), Taylor (Meaney 57), Atherton.

Goals: Seddon 35, 59,

Referee: R Holmes

Half time: 1-1

Crowd: 181.