It appeared that Workington Reds were still nursing a hangover from their FA Trophy success in midweek and it was Barwell who benefited from the league points on offer.

It is a hit to the club's promotion aspirations as they fell out of the play-off places following the result.

Reds struggled to get going in this game, which was in total contrast to the efforts of Tuesday night.

Barwell, who have a good away record, looked the better side for the majority of the game and caused a lot of problems for the home defence.

Both goals for the visitors came from defensive errors as Reds appeared a little sluggish in their actions.

There were opportunities for the home side, with a superb effort from Rob Wilson ricocheting off the crossbar, as did a Dan Wordsworth header.

But it could also have been worse for Workington, with Aaran Taylor stepping up to save his 15th penalty for the club.

In reality, this game will have to be written off as they look to regain their footing in the league campaign.

Barwell came out at the startshowing they meant business.

A mix-up in the Workington defence nearly handed an early opportunity to Barwell, but the ball was chipped just over the top by Nigel Julien and the home side could breathe a sigh of relief.

Matthew Stenson was the first to get on the wrong side of the referee, receiving a yellow card after a challenge on Josh Calvert.

Reds began to pick up their pace and string some passes together and Matty Douglas was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

He stretched out to try and push the ball past the keeper but it just rolled the wrong side of he post.

Douglas then beat his man down the right-hand side and got in a great cross into the box, Sam Joel looked to volley it home but it was well blocked, as was the follow-up from Phil McLuckie.

Into the 33rd minute and it looked like bad news for Reds when Dan Wordsworth stuck out a leg and brought down the elusive Stenson, who was causing problems for the Reds defence. And the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Stenson stepped up to take the penalty and he blasted it to the left of the keeper but Aaran Taylor was up to the task, diving low and halting the shot.

Owen Story was looking to get his side into the lead but this time it was Josh Calvert who got back to defuse the danger.

But just moments later, it was Calvert who was called on yet again but this time he got himself in a tangle and Brady Hickey came away with the ball with only the keeper to beat.

And he slotted the ball past Taylor to put the visitors into the lead with just a couple of minutes to go before half time.

The second half began with a change for Reds, Jamie Mellen replacing skipper Gari Rowntree.

And there was initial flash of excitement for Reds as Scott Allison flicked on the ball for Joel who twisted and turned before getting a shot away that was put out for a corner.

It came in and was again flicked on, this time reaching the head of Dan Wordsworth but his effort agonisingly came off the crossbar.

There were no corners at all in the first half and then Reds picked up three in the first three minutes of the second half as Workington upped their game.

Barwell were not to be discounted though and Taylor had to come in and collect a powerful header from Stenson as they looked to widen their advantage.

Reds looked to up the ante, bringing on the in-form Nathan Waterston to replace Joel.

Great play from Tinnion got Reds in another attacking position before getting the ball out to Waterston. He looked to take on the defence who stepped in to clear at the expense of a corner which was caught by keeper Liam Castle.

Barwell took the initiative again as this time Edward Nisevic put in a great cross across the face of the Reds goal but nobody could get a foot to meet it.

And the home side were lucky just minutes later as Calvert struggled again on the heavy pitch to find his footing and the ball was put through to Craig Reid but he was pulled back for offside.

Workington were trying to build some momentum but the Barwell defence was standing strong.

But they caused great excitement in the home crowd when Rob Wilson struck a superb effort from 25 yards out that had the keeper leaping but it came back off the crossbar.

Douglas tried to put the rebound away but this time the keeper stepped in to block and then gathered a second effort from the same player.

Then disaster struck for Workington and in the most disappointing way, as Workington were just looking as though they could get back into the game.

Mellen had done well to use his pace and get back and won the ball in defence but then looked to pass back to Taylor and obviously had not seen the onrushing Owen Story.

He came in and slammed the ball past Taylor to double the visitors' score.

Goalscorer Hickey looked to double his own tally as he blasted the ball goalwards but Mellen was there to block the effort to send it out for a corner.

Taylor saved again in the dying minutes, blocking the attempt of Craig Reid, as the visitors won a succession of corners.

Reds did win a late corner of their own but they could not find a way through and it was a despondent Borough Park as the final whistle sounded.