Workington Reds boss Derek Townsley said places are up for grabs in his starting 11 for the new season after a tough 0-0 draw at home to Penrith last night.

Workington were always in control of the pre-season encounter at Borough Park against the Northern Football League Division One side, but were left to rue their missed chances.

Townsley said: “We are now a bit fitter after it. On the performance level we can do better.

“At this stage it’s all about fitness and getting themselves ready for the first game.

“As you get closer you start working to your starting 11, so it’s very much places up for grabs at the minute.

“Penrith were always going to be up for it. They will do alright this year. We knew it was going to be a good workout for us.”

Townsley also provided an update on two players he has been in talks with about a move to Reds.

One player, a midfielder, won’t be signing and Townsley is still waiting to hear back from a striker.

Townsley said: “They have got other options and we put something to them in the hope we can persuade them to join.”

Penrith included several ex-Reds in their squad for last night’s game, including Martyn Coleman, Jake Smith, Jonny Murray, Andy Murray-Jones and former trialist Steven Logan.

Reds dominated possession throughout the match but it was well into the second half when they started to craft any clear-cut chances.

The introduction of Matty Tymon, James Earl and Scott Allison on the hour mark appeared to make Workington sharper in the final third.

However, clinical finishing was lacking as decent chances went begging.

And it was Penrith who could have bagged the victory in the 90th minute.

Ex-Reds striker Coleman burst into the box, shrugged off defender Josh Calvert and fired his shot off the far post.

It would have been a sweet return to Borough Park for Coleman but 0-0 was a fair result after Penrith had battled hard to keep the Reds at bay.

Reds won’t be returning to Borough Park until the first league game of the season against Sutton Coldfield Town which is on Saturday, August 15.

Workington will now play three successive pre-season away games, starting at Consett on Saturday.