Workington Reds manager Danny Grainger praised the never-say-die attitude in his team after they rallied to rescue a point late on against Colne and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.

With 10 minutes to go, it looked likely Grainger would suffer his first league defeat as Reds’ boss on Tuesday night when the visitors went 1-0 up at Borough Park against the run of play.

But a spirited response saw top-scorer Scott Allison fire a loose ball in for a late equaliser and almost grab the winner when goalkeeper Hakan Burton had to get down well to stop him steering the ball into the back of the net.

The hard-earned point was evidence of the spirit Grainger has instilled in his team already and the former Carlisle United defender said he never doubted his players’ fight, even when they fell behind.

He said: “I’ve never had a doubt about the attitude and the response we expected.

“I think they showed that after going out of the FA Cup to come back here and play the way they did against Pontefract.

“Going behind late today, I knew there was more in the boys in the second half.

“Two or three extra minutes and I think we probably would have nicked it.”

Conor Tinnion looked back to his best in Tuesday’s clash, running the game from midfield and cracking the post with a fierce drive in the dying moments which nearly gave Workington a dramatic victory.

In tricky conditions, with heavy rain and wind battering the ground, Reds’ talisman took the game by the scruff of the neck and hauled his side further up the pitch.

Grainger paid tribute to his captain’s performance and felt it could easily have led to a much more comfortable night.

“Tinners affected the game a lot more today,” he said.

“He started driving forwards at goal which is what we asked him to do.

“He’s got the security of Cass [Ceiran Casson] behind him and yes we haven’t created many chances but on another night we could have won that comfortably.”

The draw kept Workington top of the NPL North West Division and moved them three points clear of nearest challengers Marine, who have a game in hand.

The point also preserved Reds’ unbeaten start to the campaign, which they will look to keep up when they travel to take on Runcorn Linnets on Saturday.

The Cheshire side have won just one of their first four league fixtures but have been in good form in front of goal and will pose another test for Red’s sturdy defence.