WORKINGTON 2 DARLINGTON 1

By James Broadhurst

DARLINGTON suffered their second defeat of the season after being left stunned by a wonder goal at Workington Reds.

With six minutes left to play against at Borough Park, Darlington looked to be heading towards a credible draw against last season's Evo-Stik Premier Division runners-up.

But they were left shell-shocked when Reds winger Conor Tinnion produced a 25-yard wonder strike to seal Workington’s first three points of the season.

It was an open, feisty and end-to-end clash and the 684 people packed into the stadium certainly got value for money.

The match started at a frantic pace and Reds deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes through a deflected Tinnion strike.

A loose ball played into the box broke to Tinnion at the back post and his shot squirmed past goalkeeper Peter Jameson.

But Workington's lead lasted just one minute as Darlington swung a cross into the box and striker Graeme Armstrong climbed above his marker to head Martin Gray's side level.

Following the frantic start to the game, Darlington went down the other end and rattled the crossbar through Adam Mitchell’s thunderous left-footed drive from the edge of the box.

McGee then brought the best out of Jameson in goal when his 20-yard free-kick looked like it was going to nestle in the top corner but Jameson showed superb agility to tip it over the bar.

With five minutes of the first half to go Workington had strong claims for a penalty turned down by referee Dave Underwood. A corner was played into the box and defender Kyle May’s goal-bound header appeared to hit a hand, but Mr Underwood pointed for a corner instead.

In contrast to the first half, the second period started off at a slower pace.

It took until the 58th minute for the first clear-cut chance to be created and it fell to Reds with Gari Rowntree inches away from connecting with his cross at the back post.

Four minutes later Darlington, who gave an outing in the second half to new winger Anthony Bell, almost took the lead through Stephen Thompson. The ball was swung in high, Rowntree missed his header and Thompson fired towards goal but Alex Mitchell made a smart save to deny the winger.

Bell then made a 40-yard run, skipping past several challenges, but found Mitchell barring his way as the keeper made another sharp save.

Chances were at a premium in a tight second half, but Tinnion took his opportunity on 84 minutes in spectacular fashion. Substitute Gareth Arnison sprayed a 20 yard pass to fellow sub Alex Salmon, he back-heeled the ball into Tinnion’s path and the winger hammered the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out.

MATCHFACTS:

Goals: Tinnion (15, 1-0); Armstrong (16, 1-1); Tinnion (84, 2-1)

Bookings: Earl, Smith; Thompson, Bell

Referee: Dave Underwood (Blackpool)

Attendance: 684

Workington: Mitchell, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Calvert, Earl (Salmon 76), McLuckie, Wright, Allison (Smith 85), McGee (Arnison 72), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Tymon, McCartney

Darlington: Jameson, Gibbons, Galbraith (Scott 13), Portas, Burgess, Hunter, Mitchell (Bell 45), Turnbull, Armstrong (Dowson 72), Cartman, Thompson. Subs (not used): White, Provett (gk).

Man of the match

CONOR Tinnion – A stunning goal worthy of winning any match