AN 88th minute booking for Dan Wordsworth compounded a frustrating afternoon for Reds, as they slipped to their heaviest defeat of the season against a revitalised Sutton Coldfield.

This was meant to be an opportunity to get their faltering play-off bid back on track but they didn’t take it and, after going into 2018 challenging on four fronts, Reds’ season is deteriorating rapidly.

After getting their noses in front and going close to adding to that lead during a first half they just about shaded, Reds crumbled after the break and looked a sorry outfit by the finish.

To their credit, lowly Sutton Coldfield, without a win in two months, fully deserved a first ever success against Reds.

Lee Andrews acknowledged that the away form hasn’t been good enough this season but performances, generally, have been acceptable. But this poor showing left him disappointed and, if truth be known, rather angry.

“Three defeats in 20 games doesn’t make us a bad side but the second-half performance was not acceptable and the goals we conceded were embarrassing,” he reflected.

Despite taking the lead, Andrews wasn’t at ease with the performance and thought the team were ‘flat’ and lacked their usual character and buoyancy.

It highlighted, once again, that Workington always need that second goal and never look capable of protecting a narrow lead.

Dave Symington, probably Reds’ best when so many were below-par, had a great first half and was involved in most attacking sorties of note.

A well-disguised free-kick rattled the post with Jonathan Brown helpless, then the latter saved well on two occasions to thwart Reds’ lively number seven. And it was a Symington corner in the 27th minute which led to the opening goal with Josh Calvert meeting the assist to power home a downward header.

Jordan Holt and Phil McLuckie also went close but that second goal proved elusive.

Town looked lively going forward but a few half chances were dealt with without too much alarm.

They were much more potent in the second period and looked dangerous as they got behind Reds’ rearguard time and again exploiting a lack of pace on the left flank.

Their 64th-minute equaliser was the turning point with Reds defensive frailties exposed. Niall Flint sent over a fine delivery from a free-kick and veteran striker Justin Richards powered in a header from just inside the area – the lack of a red-shirted defender making his task that much easier.

The same duo combined for their second goal eight minutes later, with Flint’s near post corner guided in by the much travelled Richards’ close range header.

Reds were rocking and conceded another howler after seventy nine minutes. Tyler Little, son of ex-Forest and Baggies man Des, was given acres of space and he advanced towards goal unchallenged before hitting a low shot past Aaran Taylor from fully 25 yards.

The second half demolition job was completed with just six minutes remaining. Checkaine Steel had given Reds’ defence a torrid time and did so with another jinking run along the goal line before sliding his pass to the unmarked Flint who tapped home from close range to score the goal his second half efforts deserved.

And it was Wordsworth’s senseless trip on Steele just before the end which earned the Reds’ defender that costly yellow card.

There was no defence for Wordsworth’s actions, but Andrews rightly pointed out that Town’s Lee Smith had a string of free-kicks awarded against him and stayed on the pitch, whilst goalkeeper Brown booted the ball away deliberately and escaped punishment.

“We have a bunch of disappointed lads in that dressing room who are down but I’m confident they’ll pick themselves up and be ready to make amends,” concluded Andrews.

Match Facts

Sutton: Brown, Lyttle, Probert, Smith, Wedderburn, Beresford, Steele, O’Callaghan, Richards (Webb, 83), Howarth (Howell, 62) Timms (Flint, 55).

Subs: Rose (not used).

Workington: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Calvert, Wright, Symington, McLuckie, Allison, Holt (Waterston, 67), Tinnion. Subs: Wilson, Earl, Mellen,

Whitehead (not used).

Referee: Ollie Williams, Worcester

Bookings: Smith (Sutton), McLuckie, Wordsworth (Workington)

Attendance: 234

Star man: David Symington