Witton Albion 1

Workington 1

UniBond Division One

Saturday, January 13

WHILE not exactly considering them a bogey side, Nigel Gleghorn must feel Workington have played as big a part in spoiling his promotion plans as anyone.

Since taking over as Witton boss, this was the fourth time his team has played the Cumbrians, with a draw being the result on each occasion.

This one is perhaps the most frustrating as Albion get in the starting blocks for another sprint finish in the race for UniBond Premier status. If Witton can't score enough goals at home, they'll be shown a clean pair of heels by their challengers again.

Someone able to get on the end of crosses may have helped them here, and all too often Lee Cox's deliveries from the left couldn't entice the head of his attackers.

This shortfall proved particularly poignant when Workington took the lead on 20 minutes through Grant Holt, scorer of their goal in the draw between the teams two days before Christmas.

Tricky right winger Darren Wilson played a high ball into the area and Holt got there to head towards goal. Dean Greygoose got down to save the effort, but the power was such that the ball spun off the goalkeeper's foot and back into the net.

Although Brian Pritchard was close with a 12th minute header from Cox's corner, it was going behind which really fuelled Witton's attacking engine.

Almost straight from the restart Gary Hoggeth did well to beat away a goalbound drive by David Anane, given his chance by a clever flick from Fran Tierney.

A clearer chance fell to Anane on 34 minutes, but the top scorer blasted over the bar.

But an equalizer arrived 20 minutes later when sub Steve Haw, on for the injured Pritchard, found Tierney on the right and his cross was side-footed home by Eddie Bishop inside the six-yard box.

As the home team had done when they conceded, Workington hit straight back and Greygoose had to be alert to deny Wilson before Gareth West recovered to tackle Holt as he shaped to shoot.

But it was the turn of the team that needed the three points more to turn the screw at the end, as Tierney hit a blistering free-kick which Hoggeth gathered at the second attempt.

Billy Barr had to intervene to snuff out Anane as he was about to lob Hoggeth and Danny Graystone came within inches of heading his team in front.

Paul Hennin had the last chance with a 15-yard shot, but it was straight at Hoggeth and he held on to ensure a point gained for the visitors and two points dropped for Albion.

Witton: Greygoose, Staley, Faulkner (Garner 63), Pritchard (Haw 46), West, Graystone, Tierney, Boys, Cox, Bishop (Hennin 79), Anane. Att: 342. Man of the match: Gareth West.