Grantham Town 2 Workington Reds 2

Workington came just six minutes away from an uplifting win at one of the Evo-Stik Premier Division’s in-form teams.

The Reds had gone 2-1 ahead on 47 minutes with Josh Calvert’s second goal of the season but three minutes later they were reduced to 10 men when skipper Gari Rowntree was unluckily sent off.

But a wholly committed display from the Cumbrians, who had travelled without four quality players, got them within sight of the finish line and still with the lead intact.

On 88 minutes, Grantham grabbed a point-saver and in the four minutes of added time looked the most likely of the two sides to grab another.

But it would have been an injustice if that had happened and Reds held on resolutely to their point.

Before the game, and under the circumstances, Reds would have taken a point but the way the contest played-out there was disappointment they could not secure all three.

In difficult playing conditions, the Reds management duo would take plenty of satisfaction from the contributions from the younger players who were asked to step up to the plate.

Nathan Waterston and Sam Joel have been waiting for starts, and gave good accounts of themselves while later arrivals from the bench Matty Douglas, Lamin Cham and Robbie Hebson all did their bit in the cause.

In the scramble to fill the play-off places, the extra two points would have given their challenge an extra thrust but, even so, they remain just a win behind second spot.

Joint managers Dave Hewson and Lee Andrews will be looking to do that tomorrow night when Reds resume their league programme at home to bottom side Skelmersdale.

Before the game, the pair had stressed the need to win the battle out on the park against a competitive Grantham, who work hard for each other.

They hadn’t taken into account the other serious test – the conditions – which made it difficult for both sides.

A strong wind and early rain made it unpleasant and any thoughts of playing attractive, passing football were largely forgotten – although the occasional passages of good play usually came from the Reds.

The first had seen the willing runner Waterston given a shooting chance just outside the area and a fierce drive was well placed until goalkeeper Kieran Preston got across to turn it round the post.

Reds had been set to play against the wind but they seemed to be judging the conditions better with Scott Allison producing several clever, probing runs down the right which threatened every time.

But it was Sam Joel out on the left who initiated the opening goal.

A clever piece of footwork was denied by a foul and the free-kick from Rob Wilson was delivered to perfection. Josh Calvert was perfectly positioned to thump the ball into the roof of the net.

Reds were unlucky, though, to concede the equaliser on 37 minutes.

Aaran Taylor had Luke Shaw’s shot covered after he had cut in from the left but unfortunately it took a deflection and wrong-footed the keeper to nestle in the bottom corner.

Workington couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half, regaining the lead after only two minutes.

It was a well worked effort, too, with Waterston and Allison linking along the right before a clever lay-off from Jack Ryan sent Calvert powering towards goal.

He didn’t hesitate, either, pulling the trigger on the edge of the box for a sweet left foot which flashed past Preston.

But Reds’ joy was short-lived as three minutes later they were down to 10 men.

Rowntree had been fouled, which was missed by the referee, and when he tugged at his opponent’s shirt in retaliation, the official decided that it merited a second yellow card and the skipper had to leave the field.

It changed the dynamic of the game with Ryan sacrificed to bring on Douglas as the replacement defender.

Yet Reds coped well and, with Grantham continuing to struggle with the windy conditions, the home side’s threat was limited.

Reds went closest when a free kick from Wilson curled over the wall but just past the post.

But fatigue was setting in and Grantham started to have the better of thing in the last ten minutes.

Sam Smith made one important stop when he got back to clear a shot heading for goal, and in doing so his clearance cannoned to safety off the post.

Then, a wicked curling cross from substitute Danny Meadows just needed a touch as to men threw themselves to it but were unable to connect.

It was another cross from Meadows on 88 minutes which produced the equaliser. This time, Rhys Lewis was able to get there with his head and tuck beyond Taylor.

Grantham: Preston, Puricoe (Wildin 72), Story, Hollingsworth (Desalou 77), Galinski, Burrows, Clifton, Lewis, Barcelos, Lee Shaw, Luke Shaw (Meadows 60). Subs (not used) Da Silva Bastos, Martin.

Workington: Taylor, Symington, Rowntree, May, Smith, Calvert, Allison, Wilson, Ryan (Douglas 54), Waterston (Hebson 83), Joel (Cham 69). Subs (not used): Henderson, Carter.

Referee: Matthew Low

Crowd: 283

Star Man: Scott Allison