Ashton United 1-2 Workington Reds

A linesman's flag has kept Workington Reds' promotion hopes alive as they won 2-1 at Ashton United.

Sam Smith’s 74th-minute header beat the Ashton keeper but appeared to be cleared off the line until the linesman confirmed the ball had crossed the line.

Reds had got off to a great start with a Josh Calvert goal on three minutes, only to be pegged back three minutes later.

Reds were the better side for much of the game and twice hit the woodwork through Rob Wilson and Conor Tinnion.

Dan Wordsworth returned to the Reds squad for the first time in nearly two years, but started on the bench.

The starting line-up showed just one change from the one which played poorly at Coalville 10 days ago and lost 2-1.

Rob Wilson came into the midfield, while Jack Ryan dropped to the bench, a change that had been made at half-time in that recent defeat.

Workington made a lively start and forced two early corners and, from the second taken by Conor Tinnion in the third minute, Josh Calvert headed firmly into the net.

But three minutes later, Ashton were level when Ryan Crowther sent the speedy Matthew Chadwick through and he cleverly lifted the ball round Aaran Taylor into the net.

Workington tried to respond but were caught offside twice in succession before Dave Symington tried his luck from 30 yards and was wide.

It had been a lively opening quarter with the promise of more goals – at either end.

Some great control and determination from Scott Allison put Reds in a good position but, when he set-up Symington, he fired well wide.

Workington had got back on the front foot after being pegged back so quickly, but the final ball was lacking on several occasions.

Two free-kicks from Jake Simpson were testing but Ashton dealt with them well, keeper Luke Pilling going down smartly to hold the second.

Then, typically good footwork from Tinnion looked promising but he just over-did the skill and pulled his cross wide of the far post.

He did better soon afterwards but Pilling made a very good punch to clear, and then Symington drilled a low angled shot against a defender which took the steam out of it.

On 33 minutes, Allison was tearing through on goal when he was tripped by Max Cartwright. It brought a yellow card and a free-kick on the edge.

Rob Wilson curled it over the wall but it hit the underside of the bar. In the scramble to follow-up, Calvert headed just over.

After their quickfire equaliser, and the subsequent five minutes, Ashton had not looked dangerous and it was Workington who were looking the better side.

There was an injury scare for Reds on 38 minutes when Symington was tackled while making a clearance but he was able to continue after treatment.

A long throw from Simpson could have caused problems but Kyle May headed over the bar.

Right at the end of the one minute of added time, Ashton had their most penetrating attack since they scored and both Crowther and John Roberts had shots inside the area blocked by stout challenges by Gari Rowntree.

Ashton made a strong start to the second half and twice took a touch too many in the Reds box or they could have capitalised.

On 50 minutes, Workington had to make a change. Calvert, a strong figure in the first half, limped off to be replaced by Nathan Waterston.

Sam Joel was fouled on the left-hand edge of the area and Simpson’s curling free-kick was good but just too high for his team-mates and Pilling, on loan from Tranmere, held it at the second attempt.

Joel blazed well wide after a period of strong pressing from Reds and, at the other end, Charlie Duke flashed a great, low cross in front of an inviting Reds goal with nobody there to finish off. They also went close when Crowther put over a deep cross and Chadwick had to be shepherded away by Rowntree as he tried to get on the end.

Workington went close on 65 minutes when Tinnion beat Pilling with a curling shot but it came back off the post and was cleared.

On 71 minutes, Workington made their second change when Jack Ryan replaced Symington and it was followed by the first substitution for Ashton as Cavell Coo replaced Roberts.

Workington regained the lead on 74 minutes after Waterston was fouled by Domenic Smalley who was booked. Simpson’s free-kick was deep beyond the far post but Sam Smith got there and his looping header beat Pilling but was cleared.

It seemed Reds had been denied but the linesman flagged to tell the referee the ball had been over the line.

Waterston was having a good game, working hard and harassing defenders in possession. He had a chance to shoot after taking a great ball from Ryan but fired into the defender.

In the 88th minute, Reds made their third substitution when Dan Wordsworth came on to replace Joel.

At the time, Reds were keeping the ball in the corner before Ashton got it clear just as the three minutes of time added on were announced. Workington confidently saw it through.

Ashton United: Pilling, Smalley, Stachini, Mason, Cartwright, Lees, Roberts (Coo 73), Duke (Woodford 83), Chadwick, Crowther, Knight (Maiese 78). Subs: (Not used) Banim, Haining.

Workington: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Smith. Calvert (Waterston 50). Symington (Ryan 71), Wilson, Allison, Joel (Wordsworth 88), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Douglas, Cham.

Referee: Dale Baines

Crowd: 169

Star Man: Sam Smith