Workington Reds gave their fans an early Christmas present with a hard-fought victory over Nantwich Town.

It was not easy as from the off Reds knew they were in for a battle as their visitors belied their lowly league position with some good football on display.

But Workington were in no mood to see their unbeaten run crash as a tough festive fixture schedule approaches.

They took an early lead through Dave Symington but Matthew Bell drew the visitors level before half time.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it was the head of Matty Douglas that once again came to the Reds' rescue.

He bagged his seventh goal of the season and a vitally important one, to hand Reds the all important league points.

Nantwich were lively in the opening minutes as Aaran Taylor was called upon to make two early saves, the first from Joe Mwasile from the edge of the area and the second from Jordan Cole.

Reds looked to come back at their visitors as Conor Tinnion found himself in space at the opposite end of the field and looked to try an early shot but it took a deflection and went out for a corner.

That was initially cleared but Reds continued to battle and Dave Symington picked up a great ball out on the left hand side and he came into the area and let loose a lovely shot that went past the keepe

Scott Allison broke free and took on the commanding figure of Clayton McDonald in the Nantwich defence but was blocked, winning a free kick.

Tinnion fancied his chances and curled in the shot but it was just wide of the near post.

A great cross field ball from Sam Joel found Symington in space again, this time he brought James Earl in to play but his lofted shot was high and wide.

Nantwich were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the area and it was struck well by Sean Cooke over the top of the wall but it came back off the post, much to the relief of the Reds faithful.

But just a few minutes later Nantwich's efforts were rewarded with an equaliser. Reds were looking to clear the danger when the ball fell to captain Matt Bell and he thumped the ball past Taylor and into the back of the net.

As half time approached both sides were battltng to try and get the upper hand.

A cross from Phil McLuckie was searching for the head of Matty Douglas but he couldn't quite make it.

Symington put in a great corner looking for Wordsworth at the far post but a defender just got a touch to put it out for a second successive corner.

This time it was Tinnion who put the ball in but nobody could get the final touch and it went out for a goal kick and the scoreline remained deadlocked.

There was an early free kick for Workington in the second half, Symington stood over the ball and then unleashed a powerful shot but it hit the wall.

Reds kept the ball in play and Symington found himself in space but the final shot was wide, as was the effort from Tinnion moments later.

But Reds should have gone back in front inside the 60th minute as Tinnion put in a lovely ball to release Allison.

He took on the defence and looked to round the keeper but decided to shoot, it went right across the face of goal and a sliding Sam Joel just couldn't get there quick enough to poke it home.

The home side were enjoying a good spell of pressure but Nantwich were always dangerous on the break and a good shot from Cooke had to be gathered by Taylor at the second attempt.

Back came Reds looking for that all important goal and it came from a source that is starting to rack up the goals.

Matty Douglas tried a shot at goal that was parried by the keeper but it only came right back out to him where he headed home to put his side back in the lead.

This seemed to spur Reds on and they attacked again with a Joel shot just having the edge taken off it by a defender before it reached the keeper.

Then into the final five minutes came danger. Nantwich sub David Forbes called Taylor into action as he had to make a crucial save.

Then just after, Mwasile, a former Reds player, put his effort just wide of the target.

The Reds defence were being called on to make some crucial blocks, none more so than one from Douglas in the dying seconds.

But, crucially, they held out to take their unbeaten run to 15 games and carry on their league charge.

Reds: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Calvert, Earl, Symington, McLuckie, Allison, Joel (Wilson 88), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Mellen, Harker, Holliday, Fowler.

Goals: Symington 6, Douglas 71

Yellow cards: Wordsworth

Nantwich: Spiess, Bourne, Wildin, Stair, McDonald, Bell, Mwasile, Hughes, Cole, Cooke, Strong (Forbes 77). Subs (not used): Morgan, Hall, Jones, Burzynski.

Goals: Bell 32.

Referee: Lindsey Robinson.

Half time: 1-1.

Crowd: 452.