Workington's players need to stand up and be counted as Reds slip further into relegation trouble.

A 2-1 home defeat by Whitby Town on Tuesday saw Reds slip to second bottom in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Afterwards, joint boss Lee Andrews said: "We always try and protect the players because the responsibility is with us but we do need them to stand up and be counted.

"Losing this one was disappointing because we had been the dominant side in the first half, winning the battles and generally on top. ‘Tinners’ scored a good free-kick and we were a bit unlucky not to get more.

"Basically, at half-time, we said more of the same please but Whitby changed their tactics in the second half and just tried to get in behind us early.

"We thought that might suit us but, in fact, we didn’t defend properly.

"The first goal from the corner was poor and, generally, I think the back four would say collectively they hadn’t defended well enough at the start of the second half."

A good first-half performance had given Reds a 1-0 advantage at the break but the first 20 minutes of the second half belonged to Whitby. They scored two goals in as many minutes which effectively won them the game.

With Lancaster winning 1-0 at Hednesford, Workington now have only North Ferriby below them in the table.