Workington Reds 1 Pirelli 1 (4-2 on penalties)

Workington Reds will defend the Cumberland Cup in this year's final after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout win against semi-final opponents Pirelli last night.

The two sides were locked at 1-1 at the final whistle and, with the game going to spot kicks, it was the young Reds side who held their nerve to reach the final.

The returning Anthony Wright, Matty Douglas, Robbie Hebson and Nathan Waterston all hit the target for Reds with the pressure on.

Pirelli saw both Scott Priest and Jordan Pritchard Farish score from the spot but Graham Robley's attempt went over the bar and then Jordan Irving hit the crossbar to send Reds through.

Pirelli could be proud of their efforts as they harried Reds throughout the tie and looked dangerous on several occasions.

There were a couple of surprises on the Reds teamsheet with joint managers Lee Andrews and Dave Hewson both named on the bench.

Wright made his first start after recovering from injury with Dan Wordsworth also appearing in front of the Borough Park crowd for the first time since his return.

Reds began brightly, Robbie Hebson took a free-kick and released Lamin Cham who put a great cross into the box but nobody could get on the end of it and Pirelli managed to clear.

The Carlisle outfit were out to make their mark though and, as they advanced on the break, Tom Fowler had to come out of the nets to clear the danger.

Pirelli had a good chance from a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 14th minute but Scott Priest's shot went just over the bar.

From a long throw by Fowler, Jordan Ferguson played in Robbie Hebson but the ball just ran away from him inside the area and Pirelli keeper Luke Miller collected.

Anthony Wright saw his shot blast above the bar, and minutes later, Lewis Jolly's attempt followed suit.

Wright was then called on to defend as Scott Priest looked to bear down on goal but the Reds star was quick to block his attempt which then trickled to the keeper.

As Reds looked to open the scoring, Cham found himself in space on the edge of the box and he turned but his shot was too high, much to his own frustration.

Into the final five minutes of the half and Reds picked up a free-kick for a challenge on Nathan Waterston but Wright blasted the chance above the target.

Reds got a second free-kick in quick succession, the referee blowing up for a challenge on Cham.

This time, it was Lewis Jolly who stepped up to take it and he lofted the ball into the area, where Waterston met it with his head but it went across the face of the goal.

The first real chance of the second half fell at the feet of Reds' Jordan Ferguson as he bore down on goal but again the shot was over the crossbar as neither side seemed to find that final touch.

Play shot to the opposite end of the pitch and Dean Mallison tried his luck for Pirelli but the ball shaved the post and went out of play.

Jordan Irving was then shown a yellow card for diving in the box which only seemed to fire the visitors up.

Robbie Hebson had a good break out of defence but Pirelli were quick to block and put the ball into touch. Matty Douglas then got the cross into the box which was met by Waterston but the shot just rolled to the keeper.

Pirelli were harrying their hosts in midfield and battling to get their chances but it was the home side who edged ahead.

Waterston was put clear on goal in the 67th minute but his first shot was parried away by Miller in the Pirelli goal.

But it only went as far as the supporting Ferguson and he blasted the shot into the back of the net to give Reds the lead.

Mallison thought he had equalised just moments later as he put the ball past Fowler into the goal but the linesman had already lifted his flag for offside and he was denied.

Pirelli were throwing their all at Reds and Jordan Irving held off Matty Douglas to get a cross into the danger area which Reds had to clear.

But back came Pirelli and Dan Wordsworth had to put in a crucial tackle to deny them again but gave away a corner in the process.

Reds cleared the immediate danger but Pritchard Farish got another cross which was met by Story, however, it didn't have enough power and Fowler claimed it.

Yellow cards were brandished to both Graham Robley and Anthony Wright for an altercation following a foul on Waterston.

Then, Lee Andrews entered the fray for Reds with 12 minutes remaining to replace goal scorer Ferguson.

But, with six minutes remaining, the match opened back up as Pirelli equalised. The initial corner was swung in goal-bound but it struck the post before rebounding off a Reds' defender's legs and into the goal.

Dan Wordsworth received a yellow card for an altercation following the goal and the game turned scrappy in the final stages.

As the final whistle sounded, the scores were still level at 1-1 and the tie was set to be decided by penalties, with Reds coming out on top and will now meet Penrith in the final.

Reds: Fowler, Douglas, McNally, Henderson, Wordsworth (Smith 90), Wright, Hebson, Cham, Ferguson (Andrews 78), Waterston, Jolly. Subs (not used): Hewson, Rowntree.

Goals: Ferguson 67

Yellow cards: Wright 76, Wordsworth 85.

Pirelli: Miller, Gill, Hodgson, Pritchard Farish, K James, Robley, E James, Story (Steven 78), Irving, Mallison, Priest. Subs (not used): Campbell, McCubbing, Stalker, Harrison.

Goals: Own Goal 84.

Yellow cards: Irving 55, Robley 76.

Half time: 0-0.

Referee: Scott Taylor.

Crowd: 125.