Shot-stopper Alex Mitchell has praised his resilient defence after Workington Reds kept their sixth clean sheet in a row on Saturday.

And they are looking to make it seven tonight as they travel to Salford City FC for a crunch Evo-Stik premier division encounter.

"The defence is doing really well and luckily I was then on form on Saturday to help out when they needed me," said Mitchell.

"The lads are feeling really good at the moment. It is unbelievable we just seem to have gelled.

"We have had to adapt to a few changes with Gari Rowntree missing on Saturday but Anthony Wright dropped back and did the job.

"James Earle was injured but Sam Smith and Josh Calvert fell in to where they were needed.

"We just seem to be coping with whatever is thrown at us."

However tonight's game against Salford will be no easy task, as the Manchester side are lying just four points behind Reds in third, with a game in hand.

The last time the two sides met, at Borough Park in November, it was Salford who came out on top 4-1.

"This is a massive game. I won't say it is a must win but we can't be beaten," added Mitchell.

"We are going there hoping to put a marker down and hopefully come back with the three points."

The league is getting extremely tight and Mitchell is pleased that Reds keep getting the points in the bag. They have won their last seven games, going back to the 5-2 win over Ashton at the start of January.

"You just have to look at Darlington who have three or four games in hand," said Mitchell.

"It is all well having them in hand but you have to fit them in your schedule.

"We know its tough with Saturdays and Tuesdays and their schedule is going to be even worse when they can get round to them."