Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd is still confident his side can be involved in a great escape, but it won’t be in the same vein as Cumbrian neighbours Carlisle United.

United banked on their goal-keeper Jimmy Glass being their hero. And Todd sees Whitehaven’s equivalent as not just one man but the faithful Haven supporters who he thinks can carry their club to safety.

Todd expects the Whitehaven supporters to play a massive role in getting the team over the finishing line and out of the bottom two.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that good home support can be worth a few points’ start. A vocal, enthusiastic crowd is your 14th man and that’s what I’m looking for,” he said.

“Two of the final four games are at home, and starting on Monday I hope the fans can play their part. Carlisle United completed their great escape against all the odds and I still think we can do it ourselves.

“We have Halifax first up and I don’t think there’s any excuse for the fans not rallying round on a Bank Holiday which looks set fair.

“Then the last game of the season could be massive as we play Swinton. If it all hinges on that then I do think the crowd could be our ace in the hole.

“As far as we are concerned the last four games are winnable and the way the lads have rallied round since James [Coyle] left gives us great hopes of seeing it through,” said the chairman.

Whitehaven also have to travel to Dewsbury and Oldham in the final round of fixtures which will decide their Championship fate.

Looking back at the 28-24 win at Workington on Sunday, Todd said it had been a pleasure to see the reaction of the players to the new four-man coaching collective.

“I don’t think there was any doubt we deserved to win the game but credit to Town the way they came back at us.

“From being home and dry we were starting to look as though it was going to be a repeat of the last derby at Workington and they would snatch it at the death.

“But, thankfully, we held on, even though we were down to 12 men and it was an heroic effort. The commitment of the players was there for all to see,” said Todd.