Workington 1 Stafford 2

Workington Reds recent run of form came to an end on Saturday as visitors Stafford Rangers outmuscled them.

It wasn't the prettiest of encounters, as Stafford were aggressive and strong in defence.

Reds were frustrated at every opportunity, they had the majority of possession, but again, the goals eluded them.

Stafford got in front after a defensive mix-up and quickly added a second.

James Earl struck back for Reds to get them back in the game but they couldn't capitalise on the momentum they built up.

Reds got their first chance as Nathan Waterston's bullet header was collected by the keeper.

Seconds earlier, Rob Wilson had looked to repeat Tuesday night's effort from the edge of the area but his shot was blocked.

Against the run of play, Stafford took the lead after a mix-up in defence.

Aaran Taylor was caught out of his area chasing a back pass and Izak Reid took full advantage sliding the ball in from an angle.

Reds tried to hit back quickly as Elliot Newby got onto the end of a Symington cross but his header went narrowly wide.

Symington thundered an effort against a defender and then turned in another great cross for the sliding Scott Allison who just couldn't reach the ball at the far post.

Again, Reds were caught out, this time from a set piece. Stafford put in a corner, which was cleared but only as far as Mathew Bailey.

And the centre-half put in a powerful volley that left Taylor stranded in goal as it rocketed past him for 2-0 to the visitors.

Kyle Perry also had a shot blocked by the keeper as Reds struggled to regain any control.

Finally, Scott Allison saw his chance and beat the defenders to put a lovely ball into the path on the onrushing Earl.

And he wasted no time in slamming the ball into the back of the net to bring the home side back into contention.

Reds tried again as the half was nearing an end, Symington putting in a deep cross, looking for Newby but the youngster couldn't quite make it.

Symington switched out onto the left-hand side and put in another cross.

Kyle May connected with his head but the keeper was down to save it on the line and the the half-time whistle went seconds later.

Into the second half and Jake Simpson made a great run into the area, beating several defenders but the ball was then ushered out of play.

And, minutes later, Earl had the chance to draw level but his shot just skimmed over the bar.

Allison was fouled on the edge of the area and Newby's free kick was cleared out to Symington whose powerful shot went just wide of the target.

Then Stafford keeper Adam Whitehouse received a yellow card for time-wasting as tension mounted.

The game turned scrappy with the referee forced to intervene on several occasions.

First Kyle May and then Stafford's Samuel Griffiths were shown yellow cards.

And James Earl followed into the ref's book shortly afterwards, along with Stafford sub Jack Sheratt.

In between, there were chances for Reds with Scott Allison going close and Symington having another powerful shot blocked.

Wilson also found himself in space but his effort sailed well over the crossbar.

Taylor got down to save a long-range shot from Joshua Gordon and then Wilson's shot looked to take a slight deflection and went past the wrong side of the post.

Into added time and Reds won two successive corners with all of the players going into the box but the first effort was cleared and the ref called for a foul on the second occasion.

Reds threw everything they had at the Stafford defence and they got the ball into the box on several occasions, but again, they could not find the back of the net.

And it was Stafford who took the game and all three points with a 2-1 victory.

Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Smith, May, Douglas (Henderson 88), Wilson, Symington, Allison, Waterston (Hebson 71), Newby, Earl. Subs (not used): Rowntree, Bethwaite, Carter.

Goals: Earl 32.

Cards: May 69, Earl 77.

Stafford: Whitehouse, Morris, Griffiths, Townsend, Bailey, Taylor, Hodge (Sherratt 59), Gordon (Tolley 90), Perry, I Reid (L Reid 81), Batchelor. Subs (not used): Bowerman, Tolley, Preston.

Goals: Reid 14, Bailey 21.

Yellow cards: Whitehouse 58, Sherratt 59, Griffiths 72.

Referee: Craig Dean.

Half time: 1-2.

Crowd: 481.