Guisborough Town's dreams of a giantkilling were demolished by a lethal second-half performance from Conference North side Workington AFC. The Northern League side defied the odds to take an early lead, but the experience and prowess of their visitors proved to be the difference as they were pegged back before the break and eventually turned over during the second-half. Only a few miles away from the North Sea, a cold, light drizzle was carried from the coast and descended upon the King George V ground for kick-off, the perfect conditions for the footballing Priorymen, and they set about on the attack early as the Workington defence were kep busy. Town striker Danny Johnson had the first chance, latching on to a through ball from Michael Roberts on 10 minutes, but he fired his strike straight at goalkeeper Alex Wimmer. The shotstopper was in the thick of it, and shortly after he did well to tip over a Lewis Wood strike, but 18 minutes in he was helpless to prevent Guisborough from taking the lead. A corner was launched into the area, and with the defence struggling to clear Roberts fired goalwards. Wimmer once again managed to block the goal as he saved to his right, but unfortunately for him the ball fell to full-back Tommy Marron six yards out and he pounced to finish and send the home crowd wild. Dreams of a cup upset were starting to sweep around the ground but instead of pressing forward in search of another, Guisborough found themselves on the back foot as Workington took the attacking initiative as they began to take a hold of the game. Josef Jackson, in what was to become an almost personal battle, headed a Ben McKenna free-kick towards the bottom corner, but Town goalkeeper Ben Eskritt denied him with a save low to his right. The Reds were really cranking up the pressure as they won a succession of corners, in fact they had around 15 in the opening 45 minutes alone, but they almost fell to a sucker punch on 39 minutes. The boisterous home support were almost sent into delirioum as Lewis Woods looked to have doubled their advantage, crashing a left-footed drive from 30 yards towards the top corner, and it was desperately unlucky for the winger that his strike came thundering back off the crossbar. If that was cruel , then things were to get even crueller for Town within a minute as they were pegged back. Workington had broke following the rebound off the crossbar to win another corner. Scott Allison floated it in and Dan Wordsworth rose high above everybody else to send a towering header into the back off the net. There was still time for one more chance before the break as Workington had to scramble an effort off the line but they hung on to go in level. Guisborough Town manager Chris Hardy will have no doubt egged his side to get on the attack during the second period, but his team were powerless to prevent an impressive Workington performance as they were blown away by a mix of good, honest, physical defending and some impressive attacking impetus. Jackson was on the attack again for the Reds 55 minutes in, and he turned a shot but was again denied by Escritt in the Guisborough goal, but he palmed the ball straight to Anthony Wright who made no mistake in turning the game on its head. Workington were really in the ascendency, with Phil McLuckie and Dan Wordsworth rocks in defence, and the excellent Gavin Skelton pulling the strings in the centre of the park. It was only going to be a matter of time before they scored a third. Sixty-seven minutes in and goal number three arrived, that man Jackson yet again involved, darting into the area and cutting the ball back for his strike-partner Danny Forrest to side-foot home. The travelling supporters were in their element, belting out songs for what seemed every player within their side, and despite Guisborough introducing club legend David Onions into their attack from the bench, the visitors would have another goal to cheer before the final whistle. Allison hit a forward ball under heavy pressure from deep inside his own half, and it was inch perfect for substitute Conor Tinnion to latch onto, hold off the challenge of defender Jamie Poole, and thrash the ball into the back of the net to add some gloss to the scoreline. Workington manager Darren Edmondson will have been delighted with his players performance second-half, but Guisborough Town should not feel too disheartened as this warm and welcoming club from the north east will surely have their day again in The FA Cup in the not-too distant future.

• published: 14 Oct 2013
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