Workington Reds 0 Barwell 1: A poor display from Workington Reds resulted in their first defeat of the season, at home to Barwell.

There weren’t many highlights in an error-strewn game where Reds failed to kick into gear.

The home side had a 10-minute purple patch but failed to convert any of their chances. And the visitors made them pay with the winning strike early in the second half.

There wasn’t much early action in the game, apart from two free-kicks for Reds. Conor Tinnion swung the first in, looking for the head of Matt Douglas but he couldn’t get there.

Then Jake Simpson put a second in from the opposite byline and this time Douglas did connect but his header was well over the bar.

A long ball found Joe McGee bearing down on the Barwell keeper but he did well to come out and defuse the chance on the edge of the area.

The wind and rain sweeping across the ground meant there were a lot of errors from both teams.

There was little to choose from with Tinnion’s shot just dipping over the bar before Blair Anderson’s effort went too high at the opposite end.

McGee was brought down and Reds were awarded a free-kick. But a low cross from Simpson was easily dealt with.

Then the game came to life in the final 10 minutes of the half. A superb shot from David Symington ricocheted off the underside of the bar. McGee came in to try and catch the rebound but he was brought down and a penalty was awarded in the 36th minute.

Scott Allison stepped up to the spot but it was saved by the Barwell keeper Liam Castle.

Another shot from Allison then rolled wide of the post before McGee was brought down for a second time but this time the referee waved play on. Tinnion turned the ball into the area but Simpson’s shot was halted by Castle.

James Earl then put the ball in looking for Allison but he couldn’t get on to the end of it and the keeper collected and the game remained scoreless at half-time.

Barwell started the second half on top and Taylor was called on early doors to tip a shot from Tyrell Shannon-Lewis over the bar.

McGee tried to put Allison though the middle but the forward was called back for offside.

Blair Anderson tried another shot that came off the head of Douglas and went out for a corner which was dealt with comfortably.

But then the visitors got the reward for their efforts in the 52nd minute when Shannon-Lewis struck a fine shot past Taylor to break the deadlock.

Douglas tried to get Reds back into the game but his shot was mis-timed and Barwell stayed ahead.

Symington was caught out when his pass back to the keeper went out for a corner. But he made up for it seconds later when he headed away the corner from Anderson.

Calvert latched on to the end of a Simpson corner but his connection wasn’t good and McGee put a lovely cross into the area but nobody could meet it.

When Symington’s bullet shot took a slight deflection and went out for a corner it was starting to look as though it would not be Reds’ day.

Allison thought he should have had another penalty when he was closed down by the Barwell defenders. He shot on goal but it went wide of the target and his appeal to the referee fell on deaf ears.

Barwell upped their game again and tried to pick up their second to seal the game. They hit the side netting and then a Brady Hickey free- kick came off the bar to go out for a goal kick. Taylor then had to make another good save to halt Hickey.

Reds had their best chance to level matters when McGee put in a cross that Rob Wilson met on the penalty spot. But Wilson could not connect and he ballooned the ball over the goal.

Symington, who was one of the only players along with Douglas to show any spark for Reds, had a shot stopped on the line by the keeper.

But Barwell held out and took the win. Reds must now regroup for Tuesday night and the trip to Buxton.

Workington Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Symington, Calvert, Douglas, Earl, McLuckie (Bethwaite 72), Wilson, Allison, McGee, Tinnion. Subs (not used): Henderson, Hebson, Jolly, Fowler

Yellow card: Earl 87

Barwell: Castle, Taylor, Nisevic, Towers, Ballinger, Hickey, Story, Shannon-Lewis (Sandhu 88), Bell (Baldwin 66), Julian, Anderson (Rowe 77). Subs (not used): Spencer, Mitchell

Goal: Shannon-Lewis 52,

Yellow card: Bell 61, Rowe 90

Referee: C Porter

Crowd: 422