By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:10, Wednesday, 23 April 2008

WORKINGTON Reds are to trial a new cheap ticket scheme to boost Borough Park attendances.

Tuesday night’s clash with Harrogate Town – the first of a run of 10 home games from their next 13 starts – pulled in only 333 fans in the wet weather, Reds’ lowest home gate of the campaign.

And it is hoped that a plan for supporters club members to distribute 250 vouchers entitling holders to entry to Borough Park for half-price of a fiver, for the home game against Burscough on February 19, will help boost interest.

“Most of us know someone who is interested in football but doesn’t come down regularly,” said spokesman Alec Graham.

“The hope is that the vouchers don’t go to those who already come down as that would be self-defeating.”

Graham defended the standard of Blue Square North football on show at Borough Park.

“A lot of people think we are still playing akin to pub football.

“They don’t rate it. But this is the upper echelon of non-league football,” added Graham, who reckons there are currently more Reds players with Football League experience than at any time since the club played full-time football.

“We play Barrow next Tuesday, and Telford, the best supported team in the league, the following Saturday, so we should get over 500 for those two, which is where we need it.”

The Harrogate clash, which Reds lost 1-0, went ahead despite persistent torrential rain, though Graham reported that the surface was playable.

“It cut up a bit towards the end but stood up to the test fairly well,” he said.

 n Carlisle United manager John Ward has stepped up the mind games ahead of his return to Cheltenham tonight by claiming the Robins start the game as favourites.

The Blues boss, back at Whaddon Road for the first time since quitting the club for Carlisle last October, says his old club’s recent form combined with Carlisle’s struggles on the road mean more pressure is on the home side.

That’s despite Cheltenham starting the game in the relegation zone while victory for United will take them back up to second.

“They have only lost three out of 13 at home – that’s a decent record for a team in the bottom five,” Ward said.

“It means they are pretty tough to beat. They’ve won their last three games and our away record will be pointed out to me, so it probably makes them favourites on the night.

“We really have to turn it on and put in a good performance to win the game. Cheltenham will be up for it. They love a scalp and they have an edge when they want one.”