Workington Reds are ready to take on the challenge of upsetting an in-form Marine side to get their survival bid back on track, according to boss Lee Andrews.

Two months ago, a trip to Marine would have been a real relegation six-pointer for Workington.

But the Merseysiders have put together an unbeaten run of seven Evo-Stik Premier League games to climb to 14th in the league table.

They have won six and drawn one of their last seven, with victories over two of the sides in freefall – Hednesford and Mickleover.

Workington are still next to bottom, a position which has become all too permanent, but they are still in touch with other strugglers ahead of them.

Two successive home defeats which followed three wins in a row have been a blow to the Cumbrians, but they fight on.

Andrews said: “Everyone was down after the Witton defeat on Tuesday but spirits have lifted since then.

“We have to go to Marine with a determined attitude.

“They are in good form and have shown how to get out of trouble.

“I thought we played well against Basford, despite the 3-0 scoreline, but we didn’t start well enough in midweek.”

The pressure is on Reds to secure a good result as they face a daunting run of seven fixtures after today’s match (3pm kick-off) which includes them playing the current top four teams – Farsley Celtic, Warrington Town, South Shields and Nantwich Town – although three of those will be at Borough Park.

Meanwhile, Dan Wordsworth was sent off for the second time this season on Tuesday but is available this afternoon.

Andrews will have to decide whether to start the tough defender or bring back Sam Smith who was ill on Tuesday as he looks to make his team more solid at the back.

There was a positive contribution from substitute Dave Symington in the closing stages and he could be in line for his first start of the season as Reds look to get back to scoring after two consecutive games where they have drawn blanks in front of goal.

Symington, who has been a key figure for the Reds since leaving Carlisle United, was one of four players who underwent surgery in the summer.

He underwent a knee operation while the others went under the knife for hernia problems.

Symington has had to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates have toiled this season.

He is the last of those to break back into the side after gaining valuable game time with Whitehaven, scoring in their recent 3-2 Cumberland Cup defeat at Penrith.