'It means everything' - Comeback win completes great escape for Workington

The Reds overturned a 2-0 half-time deficit to beat Warrington Town 3-2 on Saturday afternoon, in-turn confirming their Step 3 status for another season against all odds.

Jake Allan pulled one back 10 minutes after half-time following a mix-up at the back between Yellows goalkeeper Liam Isherwood and defender Jack Doyle, before Josh Palmer and Tom Stephenson completed the comeback with their first goals for the club.

Saturday's win means they end the weekend four points above the relegation zone with a game to play, having been nine points from safety at the turn of the year.

The result also boasts remarkable similarity to a game between the two clubs 31 years earlier, when Workington came from two goals down at the midway stage to win, in-turn avoiding relegation back in May 1995. 

Speaking post-match, Barr said: "It means everything, doesn't it?

"I don't think people realise how bad the conditions are. They had the wind in the first half and we didn't help ourselves with the first minute goal.

"I reminded the lads at half-time about what we've been and where we play on the pitch when we went through that [unbeaten] run.

"Credit to them. They put their bodies on the line, ran hard in the second half, and I'm so pleased for them as a group."

In the context of Barr's reign, Workington's survival is all the more impressive.

He took over the club in November when they were second-bottom and five points from safety, after a run of two wins from their opening 14 games.

However, he made an immediate impact and led the club to a 3-2 victory over Hyde United in his first game in charge.

Still, that remained their only win until the end of the calendar year. And after just three wins in 22 games, a winless January meant the writing was seemingly on the wall for Barr's side.

But a nine-match unbeaten run, including six wins, catapulted them back into survival reckoning.

Although a run of three without victory threatened to dent their hopes of avoiding the drop, Saturday's victory over Warrington was enough to confirm their survival and conclude a remarkable turnaround during the latter part of the season.

It also means they go into next weekend's season finale at home to Leek Town with no pressure on them, as they prepare to bid farewell to Borough Park - a ground they have played at since 1937 - ahead of its demolition next month.

Asked where survival ranks amongst his career achievements, former Dundee and Carlisle United coach Barr said: "Probably the best.

"I've done last-day survival and relegation, and the emotion which goes into it is palpable.

"We can enjoy next week now. I'm so happy that we've done what we've done and can give Borough Park a fantastic send-off."