Telford captain Stuart Whitehead out of Workington Reds game

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:04, Friday, 03 October 2008

Workington Reds’ heart-breaking FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Harrogate on Tuesday night was an eerie echo of an earlier FA Trophy loss against the Yorkshire outfit.

Reds produced a battling display against in-form Town before falling at the last hurdle in the replay, with long-time fans recalling a previous loss at the CNG Stadium.

Secretary Steve Durham said: “We lost at Harrogate 11 years ago in the same scenario in the FA Trophy.

“We’d drawn at Borough Park and the replay was 0-0 after extra-time, and we lost 5-4 on penalties – exactly the same as Tuesday. It’s a bit spooky.

“Harrogate have created history as they are the first side to knock us out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy on penalty shoot-outs. We played well enough to win both games. Our overall record in penalty shoot-outs is not very good. Out of around 10 we’ve only won three or four.”

Reds must put the disappointment of their FA Cup exit behind them tomorrow when they make the long trip to AFC Telford, for a Blue Square North clash.

“The lads were a bit down immediately after Tuesday’s game, but they just have to get on with it,” Durham added. They know they were the better team over two games and extra-time. It was a long journey after work on Tuesday, and that comes in to it, but I think we’ll be all right for Saturday.

“We’ve drawn too many games this season. We haven’t lost many, but a couple of wins wouldn’t go amiss.”

Skipper Stuart Whitehead looks set to miss out for Telford. He has picked up a slight hamstring strain and is likely to be rested.

Boss Rob Smith will recall centre-back Asa Charlton to the squad. Telford have picked up 16 points from 10 league matches, five more than the Cumbrians.