Workington Reds slid to their first defeat of the season, paying the price for conceding two goals inside four first-half minutes.

A third goal four minutes after the restart put the hosts in the driving seat and although Jason Walker pulled one back, and Reds were better, they couldn’t get any nearer until the fourth minute of time added. Walker was again on target with another clever finish but it was too late.

Workington should have taken the lead on three minutes. A ball in from Matty Douglas found the unmarked Brad Hubbold whose shot from eight yards was straight at keeper Lloyd Rigby who made the block.

Then a header from Jason Walker teed-up Conor Tinnion who fired in a shot just over the bar.

Bamber Bridge gradually came more into the game with their only summer signing, former Bolton Academy winger Ryan White, looking lively.

Sam Smith was booked after a foul on the edge of the area and White’s curling free-kick was headed down to Michael Potts who shot wide.

A few minutes later Alistair Waddecar was booked for a foul on Jamie Mellen and Macauley Wilson also went into the book for kicking the ball away.

Tinnion became the fourth player to be booked inside 20 minutes.

The home side had a chance on 22 minutes but Brad Carsley was nearer the corner flag with his effort.

It was the hosts who took the lead on 33 minutes, with the two who had been booked combining. A deep cross from Wilson found Waddecar unmarked and he scored with a delightfully weighted header.

Four minutes later Bamber doubled their lead. Aaron Taylor made a flying save to keep out a rocket from Matt Fufley but the ball fell to skipper Matt Lawlor who fired home.

Walker led the Reds’ response with a first time shot over keeper Rigby when he spotted him off his line, but it was just wide.

Reds needed a quick goal but they were undone on 49 minutes. They failed to clear a ball into the box from a short corner and when it fell to Lawlor he hammered another superb strike.

Bamber were growing in confidence now, knocking the ball around well on the superb surface but Reds were given hope on 58 minutes. Hubbold played Walker in on goal and another cool finish from the experienced striker gave Rigby no chance.

Then good build up play ended with Sam Joel turning smartly and firing just wide.

It was better in the second-half from Reds, building more crisply and winning battles in midfield.

Before the corner Sheldon Mossop replaced Hubbold but the flag-kick was over hit. Then from a subsequent corner Joel headed over from a good position.

In the final minute of the four added, Walker produced another clever finish but the whistle blew before they could push for an equaliser.