Alfreton Town will have enjoyed their long trip back from Cumbria on Tuesday night after finally recording the win that ensured their Conference North status for next season.
The victory from the battle of the Reds also sealed a first league double of the campaign and there were plenty of plus points for manager Nicky Law to enthuse over.
Striker Brian Cusworth ended his league goal drought which stretched back to December 11 when he fired the visitors in front on 48 minutes, Steve Warne got his first goal for the club at the 31st attempt to double the lead on 76 and work experience youngster Dan Gray had a more than promising debut.
It was also a first win in the league for Alfreton in five games, a first away win in seven in the league and the success extended their unbeaten record to four games in all competitions.
Law was without injured trio Kyle Sutcliffe, Anton Brown and Rob Pacey and unavailable latest signings Ben Scott and John McAliskey. Laurie Wilson was on the bench but was far from fit.
Aside from debutant Gray, Kris Bowler filled in at left back.
Despite strong blustery conditions, the visitors began brightly and Danny Reet forced a corner after just three minutes and Josh Law’s flag kick was headed behind for another one.
Workington’s first raid came on six minutes with David Hewson sending Jonny Wright to the byeline and his pull back fell to Lee Andrews who saw his shot blocked by Matt Wilson.
Alfreton had a decent chance on ten minutes when Law played Reet in with a precision pass. The former Mansfield man’s shot was cleared as far as Warne whose rasping 20-yard drive was no more than a foot over.
The Workington Reds returned fire but after Anthony had picked out Craig Johnston his weak shot was easily held by Laurence Matthewson and two minutes later Tony Butler had to head behind for a corner as Jonny Wright ran onto Anthony’s pass.
Reet needed lengthy treatment after being caught by Jonny  Wright although there was nothing malicious about the challenge.
Jordan Hall came to Alfreton’s aid on 24 minutes when Jonny Wright played the ball inside to David Hewson and his strong cross was met by Anthony Wright whose shot was charged down by Hall.
At the other end an angled drive from Reet was clutched by home keeper Adam Collin before the best chance of the half for the visitors came on 34 minutes when Chris Walton unleashed an absolute rocket from 30 yards.
The shot clipped the heel of a home defender and Collin had to change direction to produce a superb full length save, tipping the effort around a post.
The save precipitated four successive Josh Law corners which were all headed behind.
Tony Butler cleared Town’s lines in a desperate goalmouth scramble on 39 minutes when a drop ball situation was awarded deep in the visiting penalty area.
A minute from time home left back Gari Rowntree let fly from 35 yards but the shot went wide to spare Josh Law who had failed to clear his lines properly.
Debutant Gray - who had a promising first half on his debut - was not too far off target with a 35-yarder in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of a half in which the visitors had done well.
Alfreton had a great start to the second half when they grabbed the lead on 48 minutes.
Butler played Reet through and after Collin had done very well to get a hand onto Reet’s shot, the ball fell loose and BRIAN CUSWORTH did well to turn it into the right hand corner of the net.
Two minutes later came a big let off for the visiting Reds. Anthony got the ball around Town keeper Matthewson on an angle and it looked impossible not to score but the Workington man somehow screwed his shot across the face of goal and out off of the far post .
Alfreton survived another scare on 56 minutes when Anthony put the ball in to Jonny Wright and his angled drive from the left was parried by Matthewson who then had to dive to punch the ball out for a corner before anyone else could get a touch on it. They were two very good saves from the former Manchester City youngster.
Reet required more treatment a minute later after being fouled by Rowntree who was booked and two minutes further on Reet was replaced by Clayton.
Alfreton began to show more and a dazzling run from Warne led to Walton’s shot being blocked, the ball rebounding back onto him and out for a goal kick.
A half volley by Workington’s Johnston was held comfortably by Matthewson following a partially cleared Anthony free kick.
Jordan Hall became the second player to be booked when he fouled Jonny Wright on 66 minutes.
The hosts had the ball in the net three minutes later following a break down the right but Tony Hopper’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Alfreton took a firm grip of the points on 76 minutes thanks to home keeper Collin who kicked a back pass straight out to Cusworth around 25 yards out. He played it on to Clayton who fed Warne and his delightful shot from ten yards put the visitors 2-0 up.
Anthony fired tamely behind from 20-yards as Workington tried to get through but it was Alfreton who went close to another goal when Gray’s left flank cross was knocked down by Cusworth and Warne fired over from 22 yards.
Matthewson raced right out to the edge of his area to kick clear for a throw in as substitute Matthew Berkeley tried to break through in the second minute of three of stoppage time before the Cumbrians got a consolation with the last kick of the game.
Matthewson again came out to try and clear a through ball but couldn’t connect and substitute Michael Reed’s finish from 18 yards was met by the final whistle literally seconds later.

 

MATCH STATS
WORKINGTON: Adam Collin, Lee Andrews, Gari Rowntree, Alan Gray, Dan Kirkup, David Hewson (Michael Reed 80), Graham Anthony, Tony Hopper, Craig Johnston (Matthew Berkeley 63), Jonny Wright, Anthony Wright. Subs: Kyle May, Dan Gullen, Aaron Taylor.
ALFRETON TOWN: Laurence Matthewson, Jordan Hall, Kris Bowler, Chris Walton, Tony Butler, Matt Wilson, Josh Law (Matt Glass 82), Steve Warne, Brian Cusworth, Danny Reet (Paul Clayton 59), Dan Gray. Subs: Mark Barnard, Jason St Juste, Laurie Wilson.
REFEREE: Mr C Buxton of Accrington.
ATTENDANCE: 259.
GOALS: Alfreton Town - Brian Cusworth (48).
CAUTIONS: Workington - Gari Rowntree (foul on Reet, 57 mins). Alfreton Town - Jordan Hall (foul on Jonny Wright, 66 mins).
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Steve Warne.