REDDITCH United got their just rewards for a refusal to lie down and accept defeat when a late Simon Hollis penalty secured a point and a 1-1 draw at Workington.

And it would have been all three points had striker Richard Ball not been denied by the woodwork in the final seconds.

It was Ball who had United's opening chance of the game after just five minutes but his effort sailed over the Cumbrians crossbar.

Home wingers Graham Anthony and Dan Gullen saw plenty of the ball in the early stages and it was Gullen who had Workington's first meaningful shot on 12 minutes, firing just wide of the left-hand post.

But just four minutes later Workington were ahead. An uncharacteristic slip by Rob Taylor saw him caught in possession by Gullen and his through ball sent Michael Reed racing in to slot past Reds keeper Danny Lewis.

Redditch countered and when the impressive Lee Downes swung the ball across to Howard Forinton, the United striker knocked it down for Richard Softley only for the midfielder's shot to lack the power to trouble Alan Collin.

The Workington keeper was called into action again six minutes before half-time, palming away a Danny Edwards free-kick that had been curled around the wall from 25 yards.

Damien Markman replaced Softley just before the hour with Damian Whitcombe coming off the subs bench soon after as United continued to chase the game.

Redditch had the better of the second half and Markman had an appeal for handball waved away when his hooked effort struck a defender. Moments later the referee was equally unmoved by a Workington penalty shout following Exodus Geoghaghan's challenge on substitute Matthew Berkeley.

But with just three minutes remaining Markman took the ball beyond home left-back Gari Rowntree and the defender's clumsy challenge just inside the box finally prompted the referee to point to the spot. Hollis took the kick and crashed the ball into the roof of the net.

United's late chance came following good work by the Redditch scorer as he delivered a terrific cross from the right but Ball, unmarked and stretching, could only volley against the upright.

Workington: Collin 7, Hewson 6, Rowntree 5, May 6, Gray 6, Gullen 7 (Inglis 79), Anthony 6, Hopper 6, Wright 6, REED 7 (Berkeley 69, 7), Johnston 6. Subs not used: Edmondson, Kendrick, Taylor.

Redditch: Lewis 6, Stanley 6, Taylor 5 (Whitcombe 63, 6), Rea 5, Geoghaghan 7, Softley 6 (Markman 59, 7), Murphy 5, DOWNES 7, Ball 5, Edwards 6, Forinton 5 (Hollis 77). Subs (not used): Johnson, Walker.

Referee: Mr PT Kettlewell (Lancaster) 7.