Workington Reds got their season off to a perfect start - with a 1-0 home victory over a strong Stafford Rangers side.

Reds, with a smattering of new faces took on a different Stafford side from last season but they were still a tough outfit to break down.

The home side had plenty of chances to take the lead but it was not until early in the second half that new signing Jason Walker broke the deadlock. But it was a strong defensive effort from Reds that kept them in contention.

Both sides looked to get on the scoreboard as early as possible with Jason Walker's effort from distance being took by the keeper at the second attempt.

Then at the opposite end of the field Louis Briscoe saw his shot go over the bar.

Reds pressed forward looking eager and Sam Joel found Conor Tinnion in a good position in the box and laid the ball at his feet but Tinnion's effort was a little wild and soared over the target.

After winning three successive corners in a row the home side were denied by a strong-looking Stafford defence. And when the last ball went out for a throw-in, Reds looked to the long arm of Matty Douglas.

His long ball was initially cleared but it came back to Sam Smith however his hooked shot went straight into the arms of the Stafford keeper.

Stafford's centre forward Kyle Perry was causing problems up front for the Reds defence and after a scuffle with Gari Rowntree, a yellow card was shown to the Reds skipper much to the consternation of the home faithful.

And then the card was brandished for a second time by the referee, this time Tomas Thorley the recipient as he brought down Tinnion who was looking to break away.

Jordan Holt looked to mark his return to Borough Park with a goal as he lined up his shot from the edge of the area and it went just narrowly wide of the far post.

Reds were having to work hard for their chances but when Jason Walker got the ball at his feet in the area, you could feel the expectancy rise.

But the experienced striker could not shake off the scrambling defence and onrushing keeper so he fed the ball out to the supporting Holt but his shot took a deflection and flashed wide.

When Walker was brought down about 35-yards out Tinnion stood over the ball and aimed well to beat the wall. It had the keeper diving but it narrowly went over the crossbar and post.

Moments later Joel had a great chance, with just the keeper to beat from an angle but in the end Adam Whitehouse collected it comfortably.

The visitors looked to try and sneak in as the half wound down and Thorley put a great ball into the path of Lewis Banks. His cross looked dangerous and Niall Cowperthwaite had no choice but to put the ball out for a throw-in which was easily dealt with.

Two more yellow cards had been shown in the final 10 minutes with Tinnion and Luke Jones both finding their way into the ref's book.

But in the end the half time whistle sounded with both sides still waiting for their first league goal of the season, 0-0 at Borough Park.

The second half was only six minutes old when Reds finally broke the deadlock - with a little slice of luck.

A Rowntree clearance was fumbled by Luke Jones and it played right into the path of Walker. He bore down on the keeper and calmly slotted the ball past him and into the back of the net.

Walker found himself in space again moments later and after playing a little one-two with Hubbold, he lofted a cross over to the far post where Holt was waiting but his header lacked power and the keeper claimed it.

Sam Smith put in a crucial block at the opposite end when Perry turned and shot for goal and, despite conceding a couple of corners in succession they kept their lead intact.

There were some nervy moments when a clearance by Aaran Taylor was blocked and it skied into the air leaving the keeper stranded and Stafford sub Joe Cuff bearing down on goal but Rowntree stepped in with a well-timed clearance to steady the ship.

Stafford looked dangerous from set pieces using their size and strength to their advantage but when a free kick was lofted in Tom Marshall directed it wide much to his own disgust.

Reds then broke upfield with Hubbold showing the pace and guile he has displayed in pre-season. He put some power behind his shot but it was blocked by the keeper.

The game went into added time and Rowntree made another diving clearance to keep his side out of trouble.

The ref still had time to hand out a couple more yellow cards, to Matty Douglas and Jack Sherratt but Reds saw out the game to start the season on a winning high.