Workington Reds 2 Buxton 0

Workington Reds took a step closer to the Northern Premier Division play-off places with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Buxton.

Second-half strikes from Dave Symington and Josh Calvert fired the Reds into eighth place, just two points off the play-off places and with games in hand on their nearest rivals.

A tight first half finished goalless but the home side pulled away after the break and were aided by a quickfire red card for Buxton substitute Liam Hardy.

And, with four games to go this season, Workington are edging their way towards the play-offs for a third consecutive year.

Reds had suffered a blow in the warm-up when midfielder Rob Wilson picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Calvert in the starting line-up.

But, in a first half of few clear-cut chances, Workington looked more impressive than their higher-placed opponents.

In a tight opening 15 minutes, former Workington star Joe McGee provided an early threat for Buxton as he got in behind the home defence.

However, Workington started to make their mark on the game, taking the upper hand in the midfield battle, which allowed Symington to flash a shot over the crossbar.

And a spell of Workington pressure followed when, after a foul on Symington, Jake Simpson whipped in a free-kick which Jan Budz in the Buxton goal couldn’t hold on to. The home side tried to force the ball goalwards but Scott Allison had it stolen off his bootlaces and Nathan Waterston blasted wide.

Buxton pushed forward and captain Greg Young flicked a long free-kick on target but it was comfortably saved by Aaran Taylor before Reds’ Josh Calvert dragged a flashing effort well over the bar at the other end.

Visiting keeper Budz nearly suffered an embarrassing moment when a miss-hit cross from Simpson looped high in the air, but the Dutch keeper took the dipping ball at full stretch.

The first half petered out with only a harsh yellow card for Allison to note after he was booked for a collision with Buxton’s Ricky Ravenhill.

After the break, Buxton started brightest with Joe Maguire nodding a header wide of the post.

Workington’s winger Conor Tinnion then broke through the middle before blasting the ball over the stand and his team-mate Calvert picked up a yellow card for a tough tackle in midfield.

Buxton’s Alastair Taylor followed Calvert into the book as his side began to impose themselves on the game and Workington’s patience with the referee wore thin.

The third booking of the evening for the home side went to Tinnion for a late lunge but they were soon celebrating.

A ball into the box ran right through to Symington on 65 minutes and he hammered it into the bottom right corner before wheeling away in delight.

However, the Derbyshire side responded well when a testing strike from Brad Abbott was tipped around the post by Taylor and minutes later McGee fired a shot straight at him.

But their evening went quickly downhill when substitute Liam Hardy, who had just replaced Alastair Taylor, received a straight red card for lashing out at Workington’s keeper.

Hardy had been played in over the top and had a great chance to score but a covering tackle from Dan Wordsworth ended the opportunity, and the frustrated attacker kicked out at Aaran Taylor.

Workington took advantage of the sending off when Tinnion found himself in space outside the area and rolled the ball in to Calvert, who calmly slotted it past Budz.

The Reds then comfortably saw out the game as Sam Joel and Matty Douglas replaced Sam Smith and Waterston.

Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree (C), Wordsworth, Smith (Douglas), Earl, Symington, Calvert, Allison, Waterston (Joel), Tinnion. Subs: Joel, Ryan, Douglas, Fowler, Wright.

Buxton: Budz, Bembo-Leta (Jackson), Green, Ravenhill, Maguire, Young (C), McGee, Abbott, Grayson, Hinsley, Taylor (Hardy). Subs: Doran, Hardy, Jackson, Burns, Williams.

Referee: Stephen Dial

Yellow cards - Reds: Allison (40) Calvert (50) Tinnion (63). Buxton: Taylor (56)

Red cards - Buxton: Hardy

Attendance: 506

Star man: Josh Calvert