WITTON celebrated a third win in the space of 11 days when they continued a productive month by beating Workington.

Albion made the most of a dismissal for Reds man Dan Wordsworth shortly before the interval when referee John Mulligan judged his lunge at debutant Luke Offord to have been reckless.

The visitors, shorn of defensive lynchpin River Humphreys who was again ruled out by work commitments, took the lead on 72 minutes when Matty Devine’s pass dissected two defenders and temped James Foley forward.

Will Jones redirected the latter’s low, driven cross into the net at the near post and celebrated scoring a goal for a third successive game.

Workington, desperate for a victory that would have lifted them clear of the relegation zone for the first time since October, almost drew level when Conor Tinnion's corner was headed towards goal by Sam Joel.

However Danny McKenna was in the right position to head the ball off the line.

It proved to be Reds' last chance, and on 79 minutes Albion skipper Anthony Gardner arrowed a spectacular shot out of goalkeeper Aaron Taylor’s from 30-yards to settle the outcome.

The full-back hadn't scored since he applied the finishing touch to a devastating counter-attack in Witton’s promotion play-offs final victory against Spalding United at Wincham Park in April 2017.

There had been little to choose between the teams during a relatively uneventful opening period.

However the game sparked to life during a frantic final five minutes.

Jason Walker flicked instinctively at a drive from Tinnion that was heading off-target and forced Devine, from a position on the line, to loop the ball over the crossbar with his left heel.

From the resulting corner, taken by Tinnion, Wordsworth could not keep down his header.

He shown a red card shortly afterwards after throwing himself at a loose ball inside Albion’s penalty area only to take out Offord - making his first appearance after completing a loan transfer from Crewe Alexandra.

Albion made their extra man count in sodden and windswept conditions, protecting a lead established by Jones' opening goal to rack up an impressive eighth away victory of the campaign.

Workington | Taylor (GK), Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Calvert, Carroll, Carmichael (Maguire 59), Cowperthwaite, Walker (Joel 68), Thompson (Symington 72), Tinnion Subs not used Holt, Brotherston Booked Carroll (foul) Sent off Wordsworth (foul)

Witton | Hall (GK), Gardner, Devine, Wardle, Offord, Smart, McKenna (Cobley 88), Owens, Abadaki (Hopley 81), Jones, Foley Sub not used Cesaire Goals Jones 71, Gardner 79

Referee John Mulligan

Attendance 298