Recap
A first win at Irongate for twenty years boosted morale in the Workington camp after they came from behind to record a crucial victory.
Reds’ appeared to be heading for a second successive odd-goal defeat, until Steven Rigg and Ruben Grewal scored late goals to spark wild celebrations amongst the travelling support.
Billed as a ‘must win’ game beforehand, the visitors started brightly but were then second best for much of the second half. Yet, they found a way to win and in such a pivotal fixture the result became far more important than the performance.
Mark Fell was able to field a much stronger squad and there was a surprise recall for Charlie Barnes and a second debut for loan recruit, Connor Pani, the latter linking up with the returning Ceiran Casson in a midfield anchor role.
And a better-balanced Reds made a positive start with skipper David Symington clipping in some delightful crosses from the left flank, to no avail unfortunately.
Both sides appeared a little nervous and the fear of making a mistake curtailed the entertainment value. Pani saw the game’s first shot comfortably dealt with by Charlie Casper in the home goal but he, and Alex Mitchell at the other end, enjoyed a trouble-free first half.
Steven Swinglehurst headed wide from a Symington cross and the latter came closest to scoring with a shot that flashed narrowly off target.
‘Brig’s response was limited and a shot on the turn from Robbie Cleary sailed into the night sky.
But from the restart, the Preston side got a foothold in the game and started to dominate. It was no surprise when they opened the scoring when Workington misjudged a harmless through ball and Will Russ, a Welsh Youth international, sent a firm shot into the bottom corner of Mitchell’s net with fifty-six on the clock.
Soon after, the hosts came close to doubling their advantage when Finlay Heath’s effort brushed the angle of post and bar.
And, after a forcing eight second half corners, they looked in control.
But, in the blink of an eye, the Reds came to life with a wonderful passage of play in the seventy-second minute which proved a game-changer.
Matty Clarke’s superb assist sent Rigg clear down the inside right channel and he confidently despatched his nineteenth goal of a highly productive personal campaign.
The top scorer had endured a frustrating evening until that point but, once again, underlined his value to the team.
With strength in depth on the bench, a luxury Fell hasn’t had for much of the season, two of Reds substitutes, Jordan Little and Ruben Grewal, combined to score the winning goal two minutes from time.
Symington’s precise free-kick bent invitingly towards the far post, Little climbed highest to head down across the face of goal and there was Grewal to net the decider from close range.

Jack Baxter had a late chance to spoil the celebrations but Mitchell gathered the shot and Workington dealt with the four additional minutes to avenge league and Trophy defeats by ‘Brig earlier in the season.
It might have been a ‘smash-and-grab’ raid but quite dramatic and vitally important from a Workington perspective at this stage of the season.
Bamber Bridge: Casper, Wallbank, Hey, Dodd, Grand, Heath (Jarrett, 83), Churchman (Pilgrim, 90), Potts, Russ, Cleary (Bould, 76), Baxter.
Workington: Mitchell, Barnes (Grewal, 61), Clarke, Casson, Swinglehurst (Little, 78), Ambrose (Galloway, 83), Symington, Pani, Rigg, Nugent, Jamie Allen (McDonough, 90). Substitute – Abrahart (not used).
Referee: Matthew Moss, Wigan.
Bookings: Heath, Potts (Bamber Bridge), Barnes, Swinglehurst (Workington).
Attendance: 301