Workington Reds general manager Derek Townsley hopes his team can register a fourth consecutive clean sheet away at Ilkeston this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

The Borough Park outfit have won their last three games in all competitions without conceding.

The winning run began with the 1-0 victory over Frizington in the Cumberland Cup and triumphs over Marine and Corby followed.

Reds start the day in 11th place, seven points off the play-offs, with games in hand on four teams above them.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists have endured a mixed start to the new campaign with eight wins, three draws and seven defeats in their first 18 games.

Townsley said: "Clean sheets are always very welcome but we feel, with our attacking options that if we can't keep one, we've still got a great opportunity because of the threat we have going forward.

"Maybe we've just seen a difference now we've got one or two players back and let's hope this form continues.

"It's important we get more bodies back as it gives us more options and even our bench looks a lot stronger."

Opponents Ilkeston are sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference.

The Derbyshire side's season got off to a bizarre start when they were suspended by the league in August for breaching rules.

The ban was lifted later that month but they're on a four-game winless run with three defeats and a draw.

Reds beat Ilkeston twice in the league last season with a 3-2 home win and a 3-0 triumph on the road.

Reds' management team will have to make do without Anthony Wright and the suspended Dave Symington.

Townsley added: "It'll be another tough one for us. Corby are bottom of the league and that was a tough one.

"There are no easy games in this league. There's not a great deal between teams if I'm being totally honest."