Inconsistency costs Workington Reds again as they fall to defeat at Mickleover Sports

Workington's inconsistency showed again when they followed up an excellent midweek win with a mediocre Saturday show.

The pattern continued as victory over a team above them in the table was backed up with defeat against one below them.

Perhaps that will continue tomorrow night when Reds travel to promotion-chasing Warrington, despite looking as if they have slipped out of contention themselves.

Mickleover have not been able to play on their pitch for seven weeks and both sides took time to settle on the surface which will clearly need some attention in the summer break.

The hosts shaded the goalless first half when acting captain Aaran Taylor made two excellent saves to keep his side on level terms, but it was Mickleover who grabbed the deciding goal six minutes into the second half.

Taylor’s first save on 20 minutes saw him going full-length to turn away a snap drive from Andy Dales, Mickleover’s top-scorer and their most lively player.

It was Dales again soon afterwards who had a chance inside the area but his angled shot was blocked by Taylor, who gathered at the second attempt.

By comparison, Workington’s opportunities were put over the bar without the need for goalkeeper Lewis King to make a save.

Scott Allison actually had the first chance of the game after a Mickleover clearance rebounded to him on 12 minutes. But he took it on first time and was over the bar.

Then Anthony Wright, Workington’s busiest and most effective outfield player, tried one from 25 yards which was always rising over the bar.

When Dave Symington took responsibility for a 30-yard free-kick, he was disappointed to sky his effort high over the clubhouse.

A second Symington free-kick close to half-time could have had a better result.

Trying to reprise Tuesday’s second goal against Shaw Lane, his curling ball in beat the last defender but Matty Douglas, stretching at the byline, could only head tamely into the waiting arms of King.

Reds had the first chance of the second half when a deep Symington cross dropped nicely for Conor Tinnion but, from a good position, he also fired high over the bar.

In the 51st minute, Mickleover scored what proved to be the winner.

They have some experienced players in the ranks and a move from a corner confused the Reds defence so much that defender Tom Burgin bulleted a header past Taylor.

Workington almost got level immediately. A corner wasn’t properly cleared from the area and Josh Calvert turned smartly to whip in a low shot which saw King dive across to make a very good save at the expense of another corner.

The home side, mainly through Dales, had efforts on Taylor’s goal and he was twice close with shots just past the post.

The hosts "old heads" – notably player-manager John McGrath, player-coach Clinton Morrison and centre-back Pablo Mills – used their experience well in the closing stages to see their side through to a deserved victory.

Workington gave a 20-minute introduction to the Evo-Stik Premier League to teenager Max Brown, on-loan from Carlisle, but he had no opportunities to show his pace or finishing skills as Reds ran out of time.