Redditch Utd 3, Workington 6

ANY thoughts Redditch had of building on their midweek heroics at Hinckley went out of the window as they crashed to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Conference North newcomers Workington.

The home side left the field to a chorus of boos from furious home supporters baffled by the difference a few days can make.

The passion and belief so evident at Hinckley had disappeared and the solid defence cracked under the slightest pressure.

United's efforts were not helped by some controversial refereeing that helped the Cumbrians into a 2-1 interval lead.

Workington bagged their opener on eight minutes when Matt Hanney turned the ball home despite looking offside.

There was further controversy eight minutes before the break when Danny Dillon went down under pressure from Gary Knight and the referee pointed to the spot. Veteran Ian Arnold made no mistake with the kick.

The penalty restored Workington's advantage after Reds and drawn level on 20 minutes. Craig Wilding, one of the few players to impress, collected a low cross from Simon Hollis before firing home.

If the diehard Redditch fans had thought the first half disappointing, the second was nothing short of shambolic.

Dillon struck his second of the game on 47 minutes after being given time and space by the home defence.

Mark Creighton kept United's slim hopes alive when he turned home a Danny Scheppel free-kick but normal business was resumed when Arnold drilled home his second penalty after another Knight foul.

Sean Flynn's header on 75 minutes made the score 4-3 but this was cancelled out barely a minute later when Arnold turned provider for Craig Johnson who then completed a miserable afternoon for the Reds by bagging his second in injury time.

Reds: Solly 5, Clarke 5, Flynn 4, Creighton 5, Knight 4 (Charlton 64, 5), Jenkins 4 (Taylor 71), Hollis 6, Doyle 4 (Beard 60, 5), HWILDING 7, Moore 5, Scheppel 5. Subs (not used): Beauchamp, Cornelius.

Workington: Collin, Hewson, Hoolikin, May, Gray, Henney, Heineger (McKluskey 60), Birks, Johnston, HARNOLD, Dillon (Goulding 80). Subs (not used): Summersgill, Hamilton, Arnison.

Referee: Mr M Sutton (Belper)