Salford City 3 Workington Reds 2: It was play-off heartbreak for Workington Reds as Salford City came from behind to snatch the final win and promotion.

Reds were 2-1 ahead at half time in the Evo-Stik premier division play-off final but they seemed to run out of gas in the second half and Salford took full advantage.

It looked as though it might have been Reds' day as Salford peppered the Workington goal but to no avail.

Then, they struck two killer blows in the final 11 minutes to first equalise and then take the lead and despite Reds' best efforts they could not get back on even terms to take the tie into extra time.

Reds had attacked from the off and a Jake Simpson free kick was gathered early on by keeper Jay Lynch.

And the defender then made a great effort to keep the ball in play as Reds tried to get that crucial early goal but it just went out for a free kick.

Joe McGee broke away into the Salford half and he tried to put in a searching ball for Scott Allison but it was miscued and Lynch had no problems as he scooped it up.

And then came the moment of magic. Conor Tinnion's goalmouth shot was deflected behind for a corner.

And it was the fairytale for retiring defender Kyle May who rose up majestically in the box to meet Simpson's corner and put his side ahead.

Danny Webber looked to bring Salford an immediate equaliser as he curled in a free kick towards the far post but it was just too high and sailed over the bar.

Sam Smith stepped in to dispossess James Poole as he tried to get the ball back in the danger area for Salford and he made another crucial block seconds later.

Alex Mitchell made a good save from a Jordan Hulme shot and the ball went out for a corner and Salford seized their opportunity as it was whipped in and met by Steve O'Halloran to make it 1-1.

But Reds came right back at their hosts. Scott Allison crossed the ball into the area and Gareth Arnison was there to strike it into the back of the net to retake the lead at 2-1.

Workington then suffered a body blow as the in-form Joe McGee had to leave the field with a knee injury.

Sub Robbie Hebson had an immediate impact as he put in a lovely ball into the box but Rob Wilson, at full stretch, just couldn't get on to the end of it.

Poole tested Alex Mitchell again at the opposite end but the Reds keeper is made of stern stuff.

And he showed just how good when he had to pull off a superb save to deny a goalbound header from Billy Priestley to keep Reds 2-1 ahead at half time.

Into the second half and Salford came out determined to get back into the game. They attacked with persistence and Reds found themselves penned in their own half for long spells.

Poole and Jordan Hulme caused some early problems for the Reds defence but May was standing strong.

Evan Gumbs sent a searching ball in, looking to find the top corner but Mitchell claimed it and also a free kick as Priestley collided with him in the process.

Hebson and Allison both spurned chances at the opposite end and youngster Hebson then turned his hand to defence with a great challenge to half a Salford attack.

Salford were throwing everything at Reds at this point, but Hulme's shot went straight to the keeper and Webber shot over the bar as Workington clung on to their slender lead.

Workington were restricted to the odd break but Salford shut down their channels quickly and got back on the attack.

Poole put a great cross right across the Workington goalmouth but they lost the opportunity when nobody could get there to meet it.

Scott Allison was causing some problems when he got the ball and he took on the defence, his pace getting him past two defenders but the keeper closed him down and restricted his final shot.

Hebson picked up a yellow card and Matty Tymon was brought on to replace Arnison and try and inject some urgency into the Reds attack.

But it was still all Salford at this point and despite repelling a number of attacks, the home side finally got back on level terms on 79 minutes thanks to a Priestley header.

Reds then had a great chance to go back in front as Jake Simpson crossed the ball into the box.

There followed a game of ping pong as several shots came close and were cleared off the line by a desperate Salford defence before Tymon's final ball was blasted over the bar.

Salford immediately went back on the attack and they got their winner on 86 minutes. The ball was played into the box and Hulme got the final touch to score, despite protests from Mitchell that he had been fouled.

There were four minutes of extra time and Reds tried to push forward but it was to no avail and the final whistle sounded to declare Salford victors 3-2.

Salford City: Lynch, Gumbs, O'Halloran, Stopforth, Howson, Priestley, Johnston (Clark 77), Burton, Poole (Moses 89), Webber (Seddon 64), Hulme. Subs (not used) Dootson, Mwasile.

Yellow card: Priestley (39)

Goals: O'Halloran 11, Priestley 79, Hulme 86

Workington Reds: Mitchell, Simpson, Smith, May, Calvert, Wright, McGee (Hebson 23), Wilson, Allison, Arnison (Tymon 72), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Hammell, Studholme, Jamieson.

Yellow card: Hebson (70)

Goals: May 6, Arnison 20

Referee: Matthew Dicicco

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