Stourbridge 0, Workington 1

STOURBRIDGE had good cause to curse their luck after losing out to third placed Workington, writes Nick Pullen.

There was little to choose between both sides and the story could have been completely different had Stourbridge produced some better finishing in front of goal.

Workington were the better side early on but couldn't convert themselves.

Alex Newby fired meekly at Glassboys goalkeeper Dean Coleman after just three minutes, while Workington's record goalscorer Gareth Arnison put a better chance wide moments later as Stourbridge struggled to cope from a corner.

Coleman then dived full stretch to keep out Anthony Wright on 26 minutes before central defender Will Richards managed to scramble clear as Arnison closed in.

Stourbridge managed to weather the early storm unscathed and then went onto create the best chances of the game as the half progressed.

Lively Chris Lait had a shot deflected wide while Workington goalkeeper Jonny Jamieson pulled off a great save to keep out a Leon Broadhurst header.

Luke Benbow then produced the miss of the match on 39 minutes ballooning the ball out of the ground when right in front of goal after being superbly set up by the tricky Matt Dodd.

The second half was a poor affair in comparison as play became increasingly fragmented.

But Stourbridge looked set to break the deadlock on 76 minutes when substitute Kayelden Brown beat Jamieson with a goalbound shot only to see his effort somehow scrambled off the line by defender Josh Calvert.

Within seconds, Workington went ahead. They broke straight back upfield where the ball fell for Gavin Skelton, who completely fluffed his shot at goal. However, Stourbridge full back Luke Connelly couldn't clear the ball properly and presented Skelton with a second attempt, who made no mistake this time, smashing a thunderbolt on the half volley straight into the corner of the net.

It was real rough luck on Stourbridge in a game they didn't deserve to lose.

Yet it leaves them with just one win in their last 14 games going into Bank Holiday Monday's local derby at Halesowen, who themselves haven't won in 12 games - all the ingredients for a classic then!

Stourbridge: Coleman; Canavan, Knight, Richards, Smikle, Miles, Connelly, Broadhurst, Benbow (Morgan-Parker 74), Dodd (Brown 70), Lait. Subs not used: Quaynor, Fitzpatrick, Williams.

Workington: Jamieson; Simpson, Smith, May, Calvert, Skelton ( Hindmarch 86), McLuckie, Wright, Arnison, Newby ( Tymon 61 ), Salmon (Tinnion 60). Subs not used: O'Donnell, Telfer.

Referee: Stuart Eagland Attendance 341