Reds move into Integro League Cup Quarter-Final after shootout win at Lancaster City

After a fairly even tie had finished goalless, Reds kept their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties with the only miss from defender Matty Douglas who cracked his effort against the bar.

But Aaran Taylor saved from full-back Adam Sumner and Hannu Tam shot wide to see Reds through to a home tie with the winners of either South Shields or Cleethorpes.

Scott Allison, Dave Symington, Rob Wilson, Sam Smith and Conor Tinnion scored the Workington penalties.

Workington were first into their stride and fashioned an early chance after good work by Tinnion out on the left.

Symington took the cross on his chest inside the box but, as he turned to fire goal-wards, couldn’t find a connection and Lancaster cleared.

It was Lancaster who did get the first shot off on target when a nice build-up presented an opportunity for Paul Jarvis but Reds keeper Taylor held on comfortably diving to his right.

The Boxing Day game between the clubs, also at the Giant Axe, had ended 2-2 with City equalising in stoppage time. If this one finished all square, the two sides would go straight to penalties.

When Sam Joel was tripped out wide, Symington hoisted the free-kick into the box and home keeper Elliot Wynne did well to leap and gather cleanly.

Lancaster got the ball into the Reds box from a long throw by Sam Bailey and a promising position ended with an overhead kick from Glenn Steel going straight into the waiting hands of Taylor.

City also won the first corner of the game on 18 minutes and a clever flick on struck Adam Anson in the midriff and flew harmlessly behind.

Good work in defence by Gari Rowntree ended a break by Hannu Tam but City were starting to get on top and Taylor had to be down smartly on his line to hold a shot from the edge of the area from Steel.

When Reds finally did get forward, again, another good Symington cross was headed clear before Allison could get there.

Workington’s best move involving Rob Wilson, Tinnion and Symington saw a low cross booted clear.

The visitors seemed to have found their rhythm again but there was a warning when Mamadou Djabi cut in from the left and let one go, but was off target.

A long clearance from Taylor bounced over Steve Williams and Tinnion got in behind but shot first time and it was easily taken by Wynne.

Djabi went close with a cushioned header to a cross from Adam Sumner but it just dropped wide with Taylor stranded.

Then, a minute before the break, Lancaster should have taken the lead.

The ball was played into the box from the left and first Williams miscued while Djabi following up blazed over from a great position.

There was nearly a dramatic start to the second half.

Sam Smith played a ball into the City box, pursued by Allison. Wynne raced out and hammered the ball straight at centre-half Anson and, fortunately for him, it rebounded to Steel who cleared.

Then, Wynne had to receive attention as he was hurt scrambling for a loose ball with Allison on the by line.

The two players were in action again on 50 minutes when Allison raced through, and tried to place the ball past the keeper who blocked with his legs.

When play swung to the other end, Smith was booked when he brought down Djabi.

From Bailey’s curling free-kick, Matty Douglas did well under pressure to head behind. Douglas conceded a second corner after good work from Jarvis.

Both were cleared but, from a Bailey free-kick, Steel got in a header into the waiting arms of Taylor.

Lancaster were getting up a head of steam, forcing two more quick corners. But Reds defended well and, when they broke, Mellen released Joel but his shot on the run was well wide.

Reds were starting to build better chances but, after some pleasing football, Symington’s long cross had too much on it.

Phil McLuckie was booked on 67 minutes, rather harshly for an alleged foul, and Bailey curled the free-kick round the wall but into Taylor’s arms.

At the other end, Tinnion teed-up Mellen but his shot lacked the power to beat Wynne.

On 70 minutes, Wilson had a great chance but shot wide after two home defenders had missed a Symington cross.

Taylor was called into action a minute later, holding onto a nicely struck shot from the edge of the area by Billy Akrigg.

After 72 minutes, Nathan Waterston came on for Joel and he arrived in time to see Lancaster go close after a long throw by Bailey was cleared to Williams who lifted a shot onto the roof of the net.

Lancaster brought on Paul Dugdale and Simon Wills for Akrigg and Jarvis after 76 minutes and they missed the best chance of the game soon afterwards. Tam had a clear header in the six yard box but put it wide.

Waterston got in down the left and his shot on the run was held by Wynne as play was now swinging from end to end.

Four minutes from time, City made their final change with Charlie Bailey replacing Djabi.

In the first minute of the three added on, Reds could have snatched it when Allison headed against the bar – but the game ended in stalemate and went straight to a shootout which Reds won.