Workington 1-2 Boston United

Winger Kevin Holsgrove was United’s hero — converting the winner deep into stoppage time having initially handed the Pilgrims an interval lead.

Holsgrove had briefly been cast into the role of villain when he conceded the penalty which allowed Workington to level on 71 minutes.

However, the script was written for United’s new talisman to fire home a deflected winner three minutes into added time.

The win was United’s fifth straight opening day success since dropping back into non-league football in 2007 — and their ninth consecutive league win over the Reds.

United’s cause was not aided by a sixth minute hamstring injury for Mikel Suarez — and his replacement Julian Joachim limped off towards the end too with a similar injury.

Workington were the first to threaten, with summer signing Mark Boyd crashing a long-range effort wide.

The Pilgrims responded, with Holsgrove being the architect to deliver a ball for Marc Newsham from the left, although the United frontman saw his goalbound drive blocked behind by own team-mate Joachim.

The sides continued to trade chances and Gareth Arnison volleyed too high for the hosts, while Ben Wilkinson flashed a header wide following Holsgrove’s centre.

Newsham headed well wide following neat work between player-boss Lee Canoville and Wilkinson, while Jonny Wright’s header cleared the bar after Phil McLuckie had nodded down Arnison’s deep cross.

The Pilgrims took the lead three minutes before the break when Joachim saw his shot handled by Kyle May and HOLSGROVE stroked home the resulting spot-kick.

United centre-halves Liam Parker and Kevin Austin were booked in quick succession around the hour mark as Workington started to apply sustained pressure.

The Pilgrims stood strong and led by the experienced figure of Austin, continued to repel Workington’s efforts.

United cracked when Holsgrove bundled over Lee Andrews and ARNISON crashed his penalty high into Paul Bastock’s net.

Tom Ward was pushed into an unfamiliar striking role for the closing quarter-of-an-hour, as the match seemed to be heading towards a draw.

United had the last laugh though and collected all three points when HOLSGROVE cut infield from the right before sending a low deflected effort beyond Aaron Taylor’s grasp.

Workington (4-4-2): Aaron Taylor; Tony Hopper (Jake Simpson 73), Kyle May, Lee Andrews, Anthony Wright; Stuart Green (David McNiven 34), Mark Boyd, Dan Dillon (Adam Main 90), Phil McLuckie; Jonny Wright, Gareth Arnison. Subs (not used): Simon Tucker, Jonny Blake.

Boston (4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Lee Canoville, Liam Parker, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Wilkinson, Chris Hall, Ben Milnes; Marc Newsham, Mikel Suarez (Julian Joachim 6, Tom Ward 75), Kevin Holsgrove. Subs (not used): Jordan Fairclough, Adam Millson, Harry Deane.

Referee: Matthew Bristow