New Year’s Day point on the road for Lancaster City

Lancaster City began 2026 with a point after a dramatic late equaliser at Workington AFC in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

The bottom of the table hosts had reached the 97th minute of a feisty derby and were still 1-0 ahead, thanks to Steven Swinglehurst’s header just before the interval until they were pegged back by Dom Lawson’s last gasp equaliser.

In the first half and Jack Wright headed City’s first chance over the bar, Ellis’ shot was easily saved by Brad Kelly after Kai Nugent had created the opportunity, and both Lewis Mansell and Tom Stephenson saw goal bound headers cleared off the line.

Steven Yawson did manage to get the ball into the Workington net after breaking clear down the left but he had strayed offside and the effort was disallowed.

Workington were penned in their own half for much of the second period but for all their crosses and corners, City couldn’t find a breakthrough, and a firmly struck shot from Aaron Bennett was one of the few on target but Eccles gathered the ball routinely.

But Lawson had the final word and his late, late strike sent the Dolly Blues into ecstasy and left Workington to contemplate what might have been.

Eight minutes from the end of time, Workington’s Brad Carroll was shown a straight red card for a tackle.

Lancaster City are sixth in the table, two points outside the play off positions. 

Workington: Eccles, Casson, Leslie, Whitehall, Little, Swinglehurst, Stephenson (Galloway, 80), Carroll, Rigg (Palmer, 88), Ellis (McCaragher, 68), Nugent.  Substitutes – Hopper and McDonough (not used).

Lancaster City: Kelly, Bailey S, Thompson, Amison, Wright, Sloan (Moonan, 83), Bjork (Caine, 75), Bailey C (Clarke, 75), Mansell (Lawson, 65), Craig (Bennett, 65), Yawson.

Referee: Nat Cox

Bookings: Eccles, Swinglehurst, Leslie (Workington), Sloan, Bennett (Lancaster City)

Red cards: Carroll (Workington)

Attendance: 1,219