Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd is urging the fans to “keep the faith” despite a fourth successive pre-season defeat on Sunday.

The 32-16 loss at Derwent Park, which delivered the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy back to Workington Town, rounded-off a disappointing programme of warm-up games.

But Todd said: “Obviously, we did not anticipate the results going as they have done, although in some ways, the performance against Town was an improvement.

“We will need to continue to improve because there’s a fortnight before we meet again and have the chance to turn it round in the League One Cup at the Recreation Ground.

“It wasn’t all doom and gloom because the way we started was heartening, going into a 10-0 lead.

"It was also good to see Scott McAvoy out there competing on a rugby field."

“When he was out there, I think it showed how important he is to us," Todd added on McAvoy's return.

"He was shattered at the end, playing in two spells, but that’s to be expected after so much time out.

"The most important thing was that his knee stood up to the first game with no problems.

“We also have four very good players to come into the side, although that will be more likely for the start of the League programme next month.

"Elliott Miller and Karl Olstrum are suspended and Dave Allen is recovering from a chipped bone in his ankle.

“On top of those, there’s Dion Aiye who is still waiting to hear that his visa clearance is in place and he can fly back to Britain.”

Whitehaven host Town at the Recreation Ground on February 9 in the League One Cup while, a week later, both teams will be involved in the Challenge Cup.

The League One season starts a week later with Whitehaven kicking-off at South Wales Ironmen.

Meanwhile, darts legend Phil Taylor became a Whitehaven supporter for a night when he took part in an exhibition performance in the town.

The event had been organised by Whitehaven director Peter ‘Frenchie’ Boyle and he asked ‘The Power’ to do the honours for the club’s first 300 club draw.