The Lions fought back to earn a point from a tight contest at Nethermoor, writes Adam Bridson.
The game got off to a frantic start and the visitors from Cumbria took their first chance just five minutes in to the game.
Isaac Whitehall pumped the ball into the box and Dan Hopper just got on the end of it to beat Joe Cracknell and open the scoring to the delight of the strong travelling contingent.
Two minutes later Jake Allan nearly doubled Workington’s lead with a low shot from a tight angle, Cracknell saved the effort which then rebounded back off Allan and out for a goal kick.
The electric start continued when just nine minutes in the Lions could have equalised. A long ball forward found top scorer Jordan Thewlis free in behind the Reds’ defence but he couldn’t keep his lobbed shot down and the chance was gone.
The game was just 13 minutes old when Thewlis had another chance, Ollie Brown worked his way into a dangerous position before crossing for the number nine who scuffed his effort wide of the mark.
Two minutes later the Lions had a penalty when Jack Emmett was clipped in the box. Thewlis stepped up to take the spot kick but Workington goalkeeper Alex Mitchell produced a good save to deny the Lions an equaliser.
Thewlis thought he had redeemed himself 17 minutes in when Jack Emmett’s low shot from 20 yards out was parried by Mitchell into the path of the striker who struck the ball home from a narrow angle. The goal however was ruled out for offside to deny Thewlis a stunning equaliser.
19 minutes in Workington countered and Steven Rigg’s drilled shot was unusually blocked by Calum Hudson with a diving header a couple of inches off the ground.
The game became scrappy with chances at a premium for the rest of the half. Whitehall had a good opportunity from the edge of the box in the 42nd minute but he blazed his shot out of the ground onto the railway line.
There was a chance a piece for each side in first half injury time, Mitchell denied Hudson who had acrobatically shot goalwards.
Up the other end Allan’s low cross looked to be heading towards a Workington attacker but Cracknell gathered the ball.
The visitors had the opening chance of the second half in the 50th minute as Luke Hunter lobbed an advancing Cracknell but Elliot Owen and Hudson shielded the ball out of play.
Five minutes later Hopper could have doubled his tally for the afternoon, he showed neat control but scuffed his shot which resulted in an easy save for Cracknell.
A minute later and the Lions were awarded another penalty after Owen was tackled from behind by Jordan Little. Thewlis stepped up and slammed the ball into the net sending Mitchell the wrong way to level the scores.
With 62 minutes on the clock Amir Berchil delivered a teasing cross across the face of Workington’s goal but no Lions attackers could get a touch on it.
Substitute John Lufudu made an immediate impact on the game cutting in from the right wing to shoot from a narrow angle, Mitchell saved the effort with 65 minutes gone.
Two minutes later Brad Carroll saw his effort from 20 yards out blocked by the Lions’ defence which eventually scrambled the ball clear.
With 20 minutes left Rigg had a good chance from a set piece after a foul by Hudson but he slipped when stepping up to take the free kick and the effort sailed wide.
Five minutes later Joao Silva, another substitute who created an opening just after coming on, cut in from the left and shot from the edge of the box but his effort was blocked.
Workington were looking for the winner and with five minutes of an enthralling contest left two substitutes combined as Josh Galloway found Tom Stephenson at the back post but he couldn’t keep his header down.
The Lions had thrown everything at their visitors – even putting centre back Jake Lawlor on up front but it was to no avail.
The final chance of the game fell to Lions captain Lebrun Mbeka but his shot trickled wide as both sides had to settle for a point.
Workington ended a five match losing streak at Nethermoor and secured their fifth straight away draw.
The Lions move on to a trip to Hednesford Town on Saturday. The Pitmen sit two points and one place behind leaders Hebburn Town.
Guiseley 1-1 Workington | Saturday 7th March 2026 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 753
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Kyle White, 4. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Calum Hudson (74′ Silva), 7. Harrison Hopper (86′ Lawlor), 8. Ollie Brown, 9. Jordan Thewlis, 10. Jack Emmett (65′ Lufudu) and 11. Amir Berchil.
Subs: 12. Jake Lawlor, 13. Spencer Booth (GK), 14. George Goodman, 15. John Lufudu and 16. Joao Silva.
