Workington Reds 3 - 0 Kendal Town

A SCOTT Allison hat-trick dumped Kendal Town out of the Doodson League Cup at the second round stage on a wet and windy Tuesday night on the Cumbrian west coast.

The Mintcakes made the trip to Borough Park in Workington following Saturday's postponed Evo-Stik First Division North tie against Farsley Celtic, which was called off due to a waterlogged pitch after an early morning pitch inspection.

Playing against a team one league higher, Kendal went into the break level before Allison's treble condemned the away side to their fifth loss in seven games.

Boss Michael Stringfellow said: "The first half we played really well, probably the best we have played in a while.

"The game gave us the chance to look at some of those players who haven't played much over the past few weeks.

"We have had some tough games in the last month and a bit. The good thing now is that we have no more cups to play in so can concentrate all our efforts on moving up the league table."

Stringfellow added: "The postponement was really frustrating because it will have to be caught up somewhere and will add to the fixture list.

"We knew there was an early pitch inspection. Given the amount of rain that had come down the night before we weren't too hopeful but there is always the thought that it might be OK.

"We are gutted because we felt it was a game we would have been able to win."

The introduction of former Lancaster duo Garry Hunter and Aaron Taylor, alongside Chorley's Tom Smyth, has helped to boost the squad following recent departures.

And Stringfellow insists the trio will play a crucial role in helping Kendal rediscover their early season league form - which saw them win four out of their opening five fixtures.

"We were delighted with the start but have had a bit of a blip," he said. "It is not that we have not been creating opportunities but we have just not been clinical enough in front of goal.

"The new signings are settling in really well. They have trained more than we have played since they joined. They have had a decent chance to get to know each other and are looking really impressive.

"Hopefully with Tom Kilifin now back fully fit we can play with a front three, be a bit more positive and start putting the ball in the back of the net."

Team: Will Kitchen, Sam Bailey, Dan Forbes, Alex Randall, Tom Smyth, Chris Smalley, Dan Wilkins, Garry Hunter, Jordan Connerton, Tom Kilifin, Rob Wilson.

Subs: Josh Wardle, Ben Thomas, Dan Towers.

Attendance: 236.