Hednesford 1-1 Workington Reds

The Workington management duo demanded a response after a dismal midweek effort at Witton had ended a four-match winning running.

They got one at Keys Park which was near-perfect, only spoiled by a 90th-minute equaliser from the home side.

Even then, Reds could have come away with all three points for, in the last minute of the four added on, Nathan Waterston had a header tipped on to the bar and nobody could force home the rebound.

Yet in that desperate scramble Reds had strong claims for a second penalty ignored by the referee.

The first appeal for a spot-kick had been answered positively 24 minutes into the game.

With current penalty-taker Conor Tinnion watching, but unavailable through suspension, top-scorer Scott Allison took responsibility.

Allison, who has an FA Cup penalty hat-trick to his name, just managed to squeeze home his shot from the spot.

Keeper James Wren went the right way and seemed to get a strong hand to the ball but still couldn’t prevent it from ending up in the bottom corner.

It meant that Reds had crucially grabbed the lead, one that had been deserved.

Hednesford, more often than not, lumped the ball forward, looking to use the pace of Jordan Graham and guile of Danny Glover.

Their other main hope rested on set-pieces – particularly the long-throw from Ben Bailey, of which there were several.

But Workington coped exceptionally well, winning the vast majority of headers to clear the danger.

Having four centre-halves across the back probably helped deal well with that particular threat.

Much focus was on Matty Douglas, taking over at right-back from the highly-consistent Jake Simpson, and he came through the test with great credit.

Chances were few and far between in the first half but Reds definitely had the better opportunities over the second 45 minutes.

Waterston skied one over from just inside the box when given a shooting chance; Allison was denied by a fine save from Wren; Jordan Holt had a close-range effort blocked, and a Dave Symington screamer was deflected away from the top corner by a sore Hednesford head.

Workington had looked comfortable dealing with the aerial threat of throw-ins, free-kicks and corners, so it was perhaps not surprising that the equaliser didn’t come from those sources.

Reds allowed substitute Checkaine Steele too much space as he was able to drive forward to the edge of the area.

From there, he planted a well-placed shot into the bottom corner beyond the diving Aaran Taylor.

But in the four minutes of time added on, it was Workington who went closest to a winner.

When Waterston saw his header turned on to the bar by Wren, there was an almighty scramble in the six-yard box.

Allison was hacked down and Holt had the rebound blocked by a defender. There was to be no second chance from the spot and Reds had to settle for the one point.

Allison was quite outstanding down the right flank, a threat in attack and an extra willing body in defence.

Symington, out on the left, did a similar job but overall it was a pleasing team performance which deserved more.

Hednesford: Wren, Melbourne, Campion, Bailey, Mutton, Fitzpatrick, King (Collins 78), Thorley, Glover (Butlin 64), Graham, Lawrie (Steele 55). Not used – Weir, Davies.

Goal – Steele (90)

Workington – Taylor, Douglas, Smith, Wordsworth, Calvert, Wright, Earl (Wilson 65), Holt, Waterston, Allison, Symington. Subs (not used) Joel, Mellen, Rowntree, Fowler.

Goal: Allison pen (24)

Star Man: Scott Allison

Referee: Jack Nield

Crowd: 403