APPALLING playing conditions turned this Cumbrian derby relegation battle into a virtual lottery as Kendal left it late in the day to spoil Workington's anticipated celebrations.

Final score Kendal Town 1, Workington 1.

John Wharton gave the Reds a 17th-minute lead when his low shot from the edge of the penalty area found the bottom corner of the Kendal goal.

Ten minutes later, Stuart Cliff's defence-splitting pass sent Dave Foster through, but having been forced wide, he failed to produce a quality centre.

Fortunately for Kendal, in-form goalkeeper Lee Ward was in defiant mood yet again as he made crucial saves from Ennis and Johnston.

Smith then made a tactical change to the Town line-up as full back Billy Billsborough made way for Ian Lunt and Kendal mounted a series of attacks which, more often than not, broke down in the heavy pitch which was increasingly resembling a gluepot.

Both sides fought admirably in the energy-sapping conditions but it was Kendal who rallied late on and Reds keeper Wolfe pulled off a point-blank save on 83 minutes to deny Foster.

Then just when the healthy contingent of visiting fans were voicing their celebrations, Craig Walmsley blasted the ball into the roof of the net following neat work from Foster to give the Kendal fans the last cheer of the afternoon.