REPORT | Workington 0-1 Widnes

Widnes upset the odds with an incredibly impressive 1-0 away win at table-topping Workington.

John McGrath’s sensational free-kick on 25 minutes, just moments after Dan Wordsworth was sent off for kicking out at Fisnik Hajdari, was enough to lift the Whites to a victory that few would have predicted.

By claiming all three points, Widnes handed Workington just a second home defeat of the season and a first loss in 13 – a run stretching back to October – while Cameron Terry’s clean sheet was the first shutout for an away side at Borough Park in a league fixture since November 2019.

Terry was among two changes to the Widnes side that bested Prescot Cables last time out.

The former Nantwich Town shot-stopper came in for Owen Wheeler, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury while Sam Turner replaced the absent Luke Wall.

It seemed an unenviable task on paper for Widnes as they made the three-hour-plus journey to Borough Park to face Chris Willcock’s Reds who had won nine of their previous 10 in all competitions.

But Dave Dempsey’s team travelled in buoyant mood and in good form of their own and would have backed themselves against a Workington side who hadn’t had a piece of competitive action in three weeks.

The 1,117 spectators were expectant but Workington were evidently short of match practice and sharpness, particularly in the first half.

Passes were wayward and loose and while strong winds whirled in Cumbria, even the shortest of square balls were sloppy.

It was an even start and a well-drilled Widnes side clearly grew in confidence as the half went on.

Reuben Jerome forced Terry into a save after 21 minutes as he found half a yard to meet Kyle Harrison’s delivery, but it was little more than a routine stop.

The game’s major talking point came two minutes later, leaving referee Chris Porter with a decision to make.

Hajdari slid in late and perhaps overzealously on Wordsworth – a challenge that was ruled fair by the referee – but the Workington man angrily kicked out, and Porter was in a great position to view the infraction.

The referee didn’t hesitate to brandish his red card, reducing the hosts to 10-men and presenting Widnes with a fine opportunity.

And credit to the visitors, who took full advantage.

McGrath stepped up and beautifully lifted his set-piece over the wall towards goal where it nestled in the top corner leaving Jim Atkinson with no chance, sending the travelling Widnes supporters into delirium.

The Reds responded with a switch to a 3-4-2 formation but Terry’s goal was untroubled for the remainder of the half.

Widnes came close to a second on the stroke of half-time, but Atkinson was equal to Lloyd Dean’s prodded effort at goal.

Boss Dempsey would have given a “more of the same” message at the interval but the visitors suffered a blow when McGrath limped off just five minutes after the restart, with Ryan Jennings introduced from the bench.

They had already lost key figure Jordan Barrow on the half-hour mark, who was replaced by Sam Adetiloye.

Workington had to adjust to the increasingly strong winds in the second half, and they didn’t particularly threaten until midway through the half.

Skipper Mike Burke produced a superb recovery challenge to deny Conor Gaul, while Terry made a superb stop to push a goalbound header away to safety from the resulting corner.

Burke was the most relieved man in Cumbria five minutes later when he slid in on Brad Carroll in the penalty area, and while the majority of the spectators in the ground waited in anticipation for a spot-kick to be awarded, referee Porter waved away home appeals.

The Widnes captain maintained his innocence, claiming to have won the ball.

In truth, Workington never really came much closer to an equaliser while Widnes were unfortunate not to increase their advantage.

Goalkeeper Atkinson was in fine form for the home side, and he twice had to react quickly to tip two Ste Rigby wind-assisted corners that were threatening to drop beneath the crossbar over.

He also made a terrific save to push a clever Dean flick away from goal minutes later as Widnes enjoyed a succession of corners.

Workington threw the kitchen sink at the visitors late on but they weren’t helped by the wind and Widnes held on for a very impressive victory.