Workington Reds stalwart Gari Rowntree believes his side have to target three more points when they host struggling Cumbrian rivals Kendal Town tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

Reds remain unbeaten in the NPL North West Division and four points clear at the top of the table, although nearest challengers Marine and Marske United – who are both on 10 points – have two games in hand on the leaders.

They drew 1-1 at Runcorn Linnets on Saturday, with Sam Smith getting on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Kendal’s start to the season has been disastrous, with just two points from their first seven games as they were trounced 7-2 last Tuesday by previously pointless Trafford after a 5-0 hammering at Mossley. They drew 2-2 at Droylsden on Saturday.

Workington’s attackers should be licking their lips at the prospect of going up against the side with the worst defensive record in the division, with Kendal having conceded 21 goals in just seven games – seven more than the next worst and 17 more than Reds.

Rowntree said: “It can be different when you’re going away but we have to be looking to take all three points from our home games.

“They haven’t had a good start but on the night anything can happen so we need to be sharp.

“The lads are playing well but as a coaching staff we still believe they’ve got a lot more to give and another level to go to.

“The style of play the manager has brought in has got us the rewards so far and you can see the lads are really enjoying it.”

The experienced defender has enjoyed a different start to the season this campaign, taking a place on manager Danny Grainger’s coaching staff but also featuring as a player when the boss has decided to rotate his line-up.

He does not expect to take to the pitch in tonight’s game after playing on Saturday but he has no worries about whoever might come in to take his place in the starting line-up, such is the quality of the competition in the squad and the confidence they are playing with.

“It’s credit to the lads that have come in, they have only added to what we’ve got,” he said.

“Danny has said all along that it is the full squad that is going to get us through the season.”