Workington Reds' opening Evo Stik Northern Premier League game against Stafford Rangers remains goalless at half time.

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.

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.