Buxton 2 Workington Reds 1: Workington Reds slipped to their second successive defeat but the performance was much brighter than on Saturday at Borough Park.

They should have brought something back from Derbyshire as they lost to an own goal and a penalty, and had another penalty of their own saved by the keeper.

Workington had the first serious threat when Scott Allison linked with Tom Kilifin but James Earl, backing up, fired over the bar.

Then Kyle May sent Allison through with a long ball over the top but, challenged by two defenders, he couldn’t get in a clean strike and keeper Jan Budtz saved.

Workington were looking to move the ball around on a perfect playing surface and, after knocking the ball around well, Conor Tinnion dinked the ball into the box. Unfortunately, both Earl and Allison went for it and rather spoiled each other and the ball fell kindly for Budtz.

Buxton’s first effort came from Kegan Everington but his 30-yarder was nearer the corner flag than Aaran Taylor’s goal.

However, on 13 minutes the home side took the lead with a bizarre own-goal. A long clearance from Budtz was headed back by May but over Taylor into the net.

There was nearly another own-goal four minutes later. A cross from Niall Doran sliced off Josh Calvert and Taylor had to produce a fine diving stop.

Buxton started to play some decent football and twice Taylor had to be alert to rush to the edge of his area to smother through balls.

Reds won the first corner of the game in the 28th minute but Buxton have two big central defenders and one of them, skipper Greg Young headed clear.

Immediately there was danger at the other end from a free-kick on the right hand edge of the Workington area. Wilson whipped in a shot which Taylor did well to parry and the follow up was blasted wide by Doran.

Reds had a shout for a penalty when Allison went down in the box trying to get onto a Kilifin pass but referee Barry Lamb saw nothing wrong. Then Kilifin had a shot on the turn deflected over the bar for a corner.

That was cleared and so, too, was a subsequent long throw from Jake Simpson but Reds were enjoying a decent spell.

That ended on 40 minute when Douglas tracked Bennett into the area and when the striker fell at the byline the referee awarded a penalty. Bradley Grayson beat the diving Taylor with the spot-kick.

A shot from Tinnion whistled past the foot of the post as Reds tries to bounce back but Buxton saw out the half with a handy 2-0 lead.

Reds were almost in trouble from Buxton’s first attack of the second half when May played a weak back pass but Douglas, who despite his involvement in both goals was playing well, and covered confidently to clear.

Buxton had to make an early change when Walker retired after lengthy treatment to be replaced by Alistair Taylor.

Five minutes later they had to make a second change when Bennett collided with the boundary wall and he too, after treatment went off to be replaced by Ricky Ravenhill.

Workington were seeing more of the ball and when McGee went on a long run he drilled a shot just past the post from the edge of the area.

Tinnion brought Budtz into action with a low shot from the edge of the area and on the hour Reds brought on Robbie Hebson for Kilifin.

On a rare attack Brad Abbott got in a shot at Taylor’s goal but he was able to watch it fly harmlessly wide.

When Workington replied with a promising move down the right Rob Wilson’s cross was headed away and Jake Simpson hammered his volley over the bar.

Workington were starting to dominate and on 65 minutes were rewarded when McGee was brought down in the box but once again they failed from the spot. This time skipper Simpson took responsibility but his shot was saved by Budtz.

On 70 minutes, Callum Henderson was brought on for Earl with Calvert moving into midfield.

He arrived to see Budtz make a fine diving stop to keep out a stinger from Tinnion and from the corner Henderson was just wide with a diving header.

Douglas did well again on another Buxton breakaway when he blocked a shot from Taylor.

Workington gained their lifeline on 81 minutes with a well-taken goal from Allison, McGee chipped a ball forward from just inside the area and Allison was on the end of it to slide past Budtz.

Workington were still the dominant force and were still pushing when four minutes added time was announced.

But Buxton had the best chance when a long clearance as chased by Jamie Jackson and as Taylor came out he pulled the shot just wide.

Buxton: Budtz, J. Bembo-Leta, Green, Everington, Burn, Young, Doran, Abbott, Bennett (Ravenhill 57), Grayson (Jackson 86), Walker (Taylor 52). Subs: (not used)F. Bembo-Leta, Lucas.

Workington Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Douglas, May, Calvert, Earl (Henderson 70), McGee, Wilson, Allison, Kilifin (Hebson 60), Tinnion. Subs: (not used) Jolly, Fowler.

Crowd: 265

Referee: Barry Lamb (Manchester)