REPORT: UNITED 0-3 WORKINGTON

BY LOUIS WHEELDON

United found themselves on the end of a 3-0 defeat to Workington at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

A second-half brace from David Symington followed a half hour opener from Steve Rigg to see the visitors head back to Cumbria with maximum points.

The hosts started well and Mason Frizelle had the first chance of the game when he nodded a brilliant Jack Thomas free-kick beyond the back post, before winger Brodie Litchfield saw a drive down the left flank result in a deflected low effort flicked behind for a corner.

Workington responded with a chance of their own, foreshadowing their method in grabbing the opener with Steven Rigg heading over at the back post from a fine Fin Wallbank, the exact fashion in which they would grab the opener after 35 minutes as Rigg this time headed home at the far stick.

The second half began with Basford needing to respond, but it was the visitors who managed to double their lead. Goalkeeper Jim Atkinson smashed a goal-kick forward and found an unmarked Symington, legally stood behind the last man as per goal-kick rules, before baring down on Kieran Preston to smash home the second in the far corner.

The lively midfielder had a chance to add his second of the game when a soft penalty was awarded but Preston did superbly to deny Symington, saving high and to his left to give United a small chance.

But it would eventually be him who rounded off the scoring, as another long ball over the top from Wallbank found the number 7 - in down the right channel - and he took to the ample time allowed to curl inside Preston's near post.

Basford would still chase an elusive dent in the scoreline, and almost claimed a consolation in added time when Frizelle rose brilliantly to nod Barnes corner over everyone, but Atkinson clawed the chance away before the danger was cleared and time was called.

Next up, we travel to Warrington Roland's on Saturday (3pm).

UNITED: Preston; Roma, Barnes, Frizelle, Ritzema; Lewis (C. Wakefield 46'), Thomas, McDonald (Goddard 90), Litchfield (H. Wakefield 60'); Hallam, Campbell
SUBS (not used): Holmes, Alexander

ATT: 307