Kendal Town ended their pre-season campaign in defeat after losing 3-2 to Workington AFC at The Pye Motors Stadium on Saturday afternoon

The Mintcakes went into the game on the back of a good run of pre-season form which had seen them win the last four games.

However despite the absence of Charlie Bailey, rested ahead of next week's season opener, Kendal more than held there own against a very strong Workington side who ply there trade in the Evostik Premier Division.

Kendal started the game on the front foot and created the first opening after just two minutes when Sam Bailey's powerful free kick tested Workington 'keeper Aaron Taylor.

The Mintcakes continued to probe as Danny Forbes forced a corner as once again Taylor was called into action.

Despite Kendal's early momentum it was Workington who opened the scoring after 29 minutes when former Town Player Tom Kilifin slotted the ball home after capitalising on a mix up between Will Kitchen and the Kendal back line.

Despite the setback Kendal continued to play positive football as Ollie Wood almost equalised after the pacy striker burst his way through the Workington defence only Taylor to force the ball away for a corner.

As the half drew to a close Workington's Scott Allison and Connor Tinnion blazed the ball over the bar as Kendal went in a goal down at the break.

The Mintcakes continued where they left off in the first half, and equalised on 58 minutes when Forbes blasted the ball home down the middle of the goal, after picking up a clinical through ball into the penalty box.

With both sides feeling the effects of pre season, the game continued to open up as Phil Mclukie was just beaten to the ball by Kendal keeper Stu Dixon who came on to replace Kitchen at half time.

Forbes almost scored for Kendal five minutes later only to see his long range effort go over the bar while Workington's Nathan Waterston fired the ball straight at Stu Dixon in the Kendal goal.

However it was Workington who restored the lead after 79 minutes when Waterston slotted the ball home after being left unmarked in the box.

The lead lasted just two minutes though as Kendal were awarded a penalty after Anthony Lynch was brought down in the penalty box. Matt Pooley duly dispatched the spot kick.

However it was Workington who grabbed the match winner on the 87th minute as Karl May headed the ball home from a corner in from the left.

Kendal probed in injury time as Workington held out for the win. Kendal despite the defeat will be pleased with their performance against a side that competed in the Evo Stik Premier Division playoffs last season.

Starting line-ups. Kendal: Will Kitchen, Adam Freeland, Ben Thomas, Martin Grundy, Stuart McDonald, Josh Wardle, Sam Bailey, Dan Forbes, Ollie Wood, Charlie Bowman, Mathew Dudley.

Workington AFC: Aaron Taylor, Jake Simpson, Sam Smith, Josh Calvert, Matthew Douglas, James Earl, David Symington, Phil McLuckie, Tom Kilifin, Scott Allison, Connor Tinnion