Recap
Reds emerged narrow but worthy winners in this mid-table Premier Division clash to end a five-match losing sequence against Nick Spooner’s side.
And their second win in five days leaves them six points clear of the relegation zone with plenty of scope for a top ten finish.
Manager Mark Fell handed a debut to Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper, Jack Barrett, who joined the club on loan to cover for the injured Alex Mitchell. And the 22-year-old had the satisfaction of keeping Reds’ first clean sheet in twelve matches after being introduced to his new team mates on arriving at the ground.
In truth, he had a trouble-free afternoon and that was down to a competent back four in front of him and a blunt Hyde attack. To be fair, his opposite number, Callum Hiddleston, wasn’t overworked either with the home side lacking that cutting edge in the final third.
Workington did create the better chances and the 79th minute winner saw Connor Pani score his first goal for the club to cap another decent performance as Reds’ other loan recruit. Steven Rigg controlled Josh Galloway’s deep cross from the right and set-up up Pani who converted from close range.
Yet the one goal proved enough after Jamie Allen, Ruben Grewal, Dav Symington and Kai Nugent couldn’t make the most of half-chances which came their way.
Reds again had options on the bench and both Rigg and Galloway made an impact when introduced to the game in the second half.
Reds are now just five points short of last season’s tally of 44 but need a few more wins to secure their Step 3 status for next season. They still have the bottom three clubs to play but the division is so tight that as many as eight teams are fighting to avoid 19th and 20th positions.
Workington: Barrett, Barnes, Clarke (McDonough, 90), Casson, Little, Swinglehurst, Symington (Galloway, 67), Pani, Jamie Allen (Rigg, 61), Grewal, Nugent. Substitutes – Ambrose, Abrahart (not used).
Hyde United: Hiddleston, Ditchfield, Amado, Spooner, Hall, Baker (Quadri, 85), Fearnley (Kershaw, 74), Jones-Griffiths, Holmes (Sinfield, 53), Redshaw, Scanlon (Bange, 61).
Referee: Chris Porter, Preston
Attendance: 668