Evo-Stik Northern Premier League: Workington 3, Stourbridge 1

STOURBRIDGE'S alarming injury jinx struck again at the worst possible moment.

Central defender Chris Knight hurt his ankle while warming up to face promotion rivals Workington and had to be replaced in the heart of the Glassboys defence by youngster Jacob Wedderburn.

Stourbridge already have central defenders Jack Duggan, Stuart Pierpoint and Richard Sho-Silva on the injury list and Knight's absence now stretches the defensive cover to the limit.

Despite the late reshuffle, Stourbridge should have taken a 24th minute lead when Brad Birch set up a glorious chance for Jordan Archer who fired wide from close range when it seemed easier toscore.

Workington soon hit back. Stourbridge survived a scare on 32 minutes when a goalbound Connor Tinnion shot was dramatically cleared off the line, but two goals just before half time had the Glassbooys well and truly on the backfoot.

David Symington fired Workington in front on 43 minutes with a 30 yard screamer after Stourbridge failed to clear from a corner.

Then two minutes into first half stoppage time, Tinnion put Sam Joel in the clear to fire past Glassboys goalkeeper Matt Gould with an angled drive.

It could have been worse when Sam Allison struck Stourbridge's crossbar on 48 minutes before Workington effectively put the game to bed on 55 minutes with a third goal, Joel flicking the ball past Gould before walking it into an empty net.

Workington hit the crossbar for a second time on 71 minutes when Kyle May headed against the woodwork before Stourbridge grabbed a consolation goal a minute later.

Second half substitute Matt Dodd was brought down by Workington's Gerrie Roundtree and Luke Benbow stepped up to score from the spot and register his 25th league goal of the term.

The goal signalled a belated Stourbridge attempt to try and salvage something from the game and they came close to adding a second when Leon Broadhurst headed against Workington's woodwork with 10 minutes remaining.