Stalybridge Celtic 1 Workington Reds 2: The FA Trophy again inspired Workington to scale heights their league campaign has so far failed to achieve.

Already on their seasonal CV in the competition are a win over the league leaders Scarborough Athletic and a five-goal romp against Newcastle Town.

To those, they added this gritty and deserved away success against a Stalybridge side currently sitting in the Evo-Stik Premier Division’s top-10.

Reds have a good record at Bower Fold in the FA Cup, winning one tie 5-0 and forcing replays in the other two before finishing the job at Borough Park.

To those, they can now add this FA Trophy success which puts them into today’s draw for the first round proper as they seek to emulate the progress of last season when they reached the third round.

There has been mounting criticism of the management duo Dave Hewson and Lee Andrews but, if any proof was needed that the players are behind the pair, and that they have not lost the dressing room, this was the kind of performance to underline that message.

The winner’s cheque for £5,000 is a valuable addition to the club’s coffers but of more importance now is that the team build on their achievements in the trophy, and turn on similar winning performances in the league.

Reds have won seven games this season, five of them in knockout competitions, and they now have to transform that form into the basic bread and butter fixtures of the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

There were some good individual performances, in what was essentially a gratifying team display, but nobody personified the spirit and qualities needed on the day more than Gari Rowntree.

The captain led by example, appearing in all sort of areas – tackling, winning headers (and getting a bloody nose for his pains), supporting attacks and generally being effective every time he was needed.

It was an inspiring performance that set the tone for the day and all that from a left-back being asked to cover for the injured Matty Douglas on the other flank.

Although Celtic had the first opportunity, it was Reds who took the lead on nine minutes with the early goal that they desperately sought.

But first they had to survive a scare.

A deep cross from the right saw Matty Wolfenden get in a header beyond the far post. Aaran Taylor did well to get there under his bar but his punched clearance fell dangerously again but, fortunately, Josh Calvert was there to head behind.

Soon afterwards, Reds grabbed the lead. Niall Cowperthwaite, who was to prove an influential figure in midfield, headed on a throw in and Kieran Maguire threaded a lovely ball through to Scott Allison.

The Reds striker sorted out his feet before planting a well-placed low drive beyond the diving Jake Turner into the bottom corner.

The lead only lasted six minutes, though.

Taylor, in his sweeper-keeper role, was well out of his area and came quickly to deal with a through-ball but his clearance rebounded off Dan Wordsworth and eventually fell to Chris Sharp who took his time before firing into an unguarded net.

When Reds have conceded before, too often they have gone into their shells, apparently drained of confidence, but this time, they struck back.

On 23 minutes, while turning smartly in the box, Jason Walker was clearly tripped and referee Dale Baines, brother of Everton full-back Leighton Baines, pointed straight to the spot.

After his success from the spot the previous week, Allison was appointed again and a curling finish beat the dive of Turner to restore the Workington lead.

Reds had shaded the half, and deserved their lead, although there was a scare right on the break when a free-kick into the Reds box found the head of Michael Clarke.

It was one of those looping efforts where everyone just stands and hopes one way or the other. Fortunately for Reds, it bounced behind off the bar.

The major incident of the second half was a red card for Celtic’s Glenn Rule after a bad, two-footed tackle on Sam Smith in the 58th minute.

Reds, perhaps not as dominant as might have been expected against the 10 men, still had more efforts than their hosts.

Walker had two curlers well held by the home keeper and Conor Tinnion put two strikes wide from distance.

The one real chance for Stalybridge came late in the game.

Smith made a brilliant sliding tackle on Sharp just inside the area and the ball flew invitingly to substitute James Caton but he fired his shot over the bar.

Rowntree, Wordsworth, Cowperthwaite and Walker were stand-out performer for Reds, but it was the all-round commitment of the team which will have pleased Messrs Hewson and Andrews.

Match Facts

Stalybridge Celtic: Turner, Tongue, Solomon-Davies (Kengni 75), Smalley, Brady, Clarke, Bakkor, Rule, Sharp, Wolfenden (Dent 58), Wilkinson (Caton 65). Subs (not used): Brown, Winterbottom.

Goal: Sharp (15)

Workington: Taylor, Smith, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Calvert, Cowperthwaite, Holt (Paterson 80), Maguire (Hubbold 61), Walker, Allison (Joel 75). Subs (not used): Mossop, Hetherington.

Goals: Allison (9), (23 pen).

Referee: Dale Baines

Crowd: 344

Star Man: Gari Rowntree