Worksop enjoyed two wins and a draw against North Ferriby last season, but on this occasion Kevin Larvin, Gary Bradshaw and Alex Davidson exposed the current frailties of a Worksop defence which lacked cohesion and understanding.

With Kevin Sanasy stranded in traffic, Kirk Jackson and Andy White started upfront for Worksop, while Gary Townsend filled in for the injured Steve Robinson (hamstring).

Ryan Ludlam returned to his right-back berth with Phil Rowland dropping to the bench and Dave Cockerill lined up on the left.

Former Tigers keeper Steve Wilson was captain of the United side, while prolific scorer Gary Bradshaw has recently become only the fourth player in Ferriby's history to net 100 goals for the club.

Worksop kicked off on a greasy pitch following a cloudburst just prior to kick-off and were the first to show as Paul Dempsey played a wonderful ball to Townsend who cut inside from the right and forced Wilson into making a low save at full stretch.

But after just eight minutes of play, Ferriby broke the deadlock when a mistake by Kevin Dawson let in Davidson and he created space to deliver a stunning 25-yard shot which flew past Tigers keeper Steve Hernandez.

Bradshaw hit a rising shot over the Tigers crossbar as the home side began to settle.

Bradshaw and Davidson then combined well to put the ball in the net following a cross from Larvin, but the goal was justifiably disallowed for offside.

A Kevin Davies clearance was then blocked by Davidson, who picked up the rebound, but as Hernandez rushed out to clear a 50/50 ball he injured his foot in the challenge and required treatment.

Larvin was enjoying the left flank and once again provided the inch-perfect cross to Bradshaw who hit a dipping effort into the hands of the Tigers keeper.

Still struggling with his foot injury, Hernandez had to give way to Worksop's Under 19 keeper Callum Smith after 30 minutes play.

Unfortunately for Smith and Worksop, he fluffed a clearance one minute later and completely missed the ball.

Bradshaw took full advantage of the youngster's error to made it 2-0.

Five minutes before the break things got worse for the Tigers when Andy White saw the red mist and swung a punch at Liam Chapman after a strong challenge by the Ferriby midfielder.

The referee Mr Greenwood had no alternative but to show White a straight red.

Now down to 10 men, Worksop were under increasing pressure from the home side with Smith getting down well to deny Davidson at the foot of the near post as the interval neared.

With Townsend taking a knock in the first half, Kevin Sanasy came on at the break, while Ferriby replaced Ben Morley with Colin Hunter.