Goalkeeper Alex Mitchell believes Workington Reds are heading in the right direction as they go in search of their first three points of the season tonight.

Reds have picked up two points from their opening three league games following Saturday’s 0-0 draw away at Stourbridge.

They welcome Darlington 1883 to Borough Park tonight (7.45pm ko), one of the bookies’ favourites for the Evo-Stik Premier Division title.

Mitchell, 24, has been an impressive performer in between the sticks for Workington since signing for the club in the summer. He saved a 48th-minute penalty against Stourbridge to help Reds secure a point.

Mitchell, who has previously played for Carlisle United, Gretna, Queen of the South and Annan Athletic, said: “Personally, I think I have done okay.

“I think there are areas we need to improve on to get results. But things are starting to click into place and we are heading in the right direction.

“Hopefully we can click into gear early on and push on to automatic promotion this year.”

Mitchell, who lives in Rockcliffe, near Carlisle, faces stiff competition for the No1 jersey from last season’s first choice stopper Jonny Jamieson.

“Jonny is a good goalkeeper,” Mitchell said. “The staff – Dabba [Dave Hewson], Bones [Lee Andrews] and Degsy [Derek Townsley] – all mentioned to me that I was not going to walk straight into the team. I worked hard during pre-season and obviously they have given me the chance to prove myself.”

Tonight’s opponents Darlington 1883 have picked six points from their three games. They lost 2-0 away at Buxton but have picked up successive victories at home to Frickley and Barwell.

Darlington 1883 applied to join the Northern League as a new club after the collapse of Darlington FC in 2012. They achieved promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier Division after beating Bamber Bridge in the First Division North play-off final last season.

Mitchell added: “All the lads are up for it. We need to get our first win on the board.”