Danny Grainger admitted he was delighted with Workington Reds’ efforts as they overcame Carlisle United to retain the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup.

Scott Allison’s second-half goal was enough for a 1-0 win in the final at Borough Park.

It enabled Grainger to put some silverware in the cabinet before he steps down as Reds boss this weekend.

And he felt his team acquitted themselves well against a United side that included six professionals.

“I was really pleased with the performance,” former Blues captain Grainger said.

“We have to respect teams when they’ve got players in the ranks that can really hurt you. We had to give up possession at times, but I thought we were a real threat.

“Danny Eccles made a great save from Sam Hetherington in the first half but I thought we had the better of the chances – Scotty Allison hit the post in the first half, Tomas Holy made a great save from Dav Symington late on.

News and Star: Scott Allison and Dav Symington (No7) celebrate Workington's winning goalScott Allison and Dav Symington (No7) celebrate Workington's winning goal (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It was played in the right manner. There was a bit of needle in there, there were some tough tackles, there was a good crowd, I was really pleased with the performance and over the moon to get the win.”

Allison was a fitting matchwinner for the west Cumbrians as he struck his 156th goal in a Reds shirt, making him the club’s second all-time top goalscorer.

His close-range finish from a Symington cross secured the county senior cup ahead of his own retirement this summer.

“That’s why he’s scored so many goals – that’s where he is, between the goals, four or five yards out, taking a gamble on someone smashing it across goal,” said Grainger.

“It was typical Scotty. I was desperate for the first-half chance to go in – that was rolling back the years between Tinnion and Allison – but I was really pleased with the application and attitude tonight.”

It was a blend of youth and experience that saw Reds get the better of the Blues.

Grainger added: “We had the likes of Zach Walker, Sam Christian and Aidan Howarth from the development squad in the XI, and all of them were fantastic.

“The experienced boys led by example too.”

The victory means Grainger has delivered the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup twice as well as promotion in the last two seasons during a memorable second spell as Reds manager.

“Safety this division [the NPL Premier] this season is just as important for us,” added Grainger, who is being replaced by ex-Lancaster City boss Mark Fell this summer.

“We’ve had ups and downs, loads of changes with players and coaches coming and going, injuries…we’ve done fantastically well.

“I’m as pleased with this season’s end result as much as anything else. The club have got a chance to kick on now and hopefully they can take it forward.”