Last season it took Workington until Boxing Day to register their fourth league win but now they are reflecting on a fourth successive victory – a 1-0 win at City of Liverpool – and topping the NPL North West Division following their best start to a league campaign for nine years.

Workington’s dominated the first half and, in the 39th minute, Sam Smith’s diagonal pass from the left-back area to right wing caused panic in the Liverpool defence and Jay Kelly anticipated the situation superbly to nip in and score his first Workington goal.

Reds should have doubled their lead soon after. Brad Carroll threaded the ball through to Conor Tinnion but the skipper’s shot was blocked.

Then, in their final attack of the half, Smith met David Symington’s deep cross at the far post but headed narrowly wide.

The hosts clearly moved up a gear at the start of the second half and Reds' stopper Jim Atkinson pounced on the ball amidst a sea of legs to avert an early scare.

And when Jack Hazlehurst broke through and looked a certain scorer, Smith’s wonderfully timed tackle saved the day. Smith was also in the right place at the right time to block an angled shot from home skipper, Luke Denson.

Nathan Waterston came closest to doubling the lead, first with a header that just cleared the bar and then via a low shot which the goalkeeper shuffled round the post.