Workington Reds are under no illusions that tomorrow’s trip to Prescot Cables will be a different kind of test as they head into a league game this season in the chasing pack rather than top of the table for the first time since the opening day.

Reds travel to the IP Truck Parts Stadium (3pm kick-off) sitting in second in the NPL North West Division table after they were finally toppled by Ramsbottom United last weekend, who dropped the West Cumbrians one place by beating them 2-0.

Now the pressure is on the league leaders to hold onto the top spot, with Reds lurking two points behind them with a game in hand, but assistant manager Steven Rudd believes Workington must still go into this weekend’s game prepared for a challenge against Prescot.

“Ramsbottom is done; it’s finished now, we can’t affect that result,” Rudd said.

“That one result wasn’t going to win or lose us the league.

“This weekend is going to be a hard game but there are no easy games in this league and the lads are aware from the last time that we played them at home how they will operate.”

Prescot sit 11th after a season of ups and downs which Rudd believes has them in a false position after they pushed Workington all the way at Borough Park last month, with the game turning on a red card after a bizarre incident involving one of the visitors’ players lashing out at Conor Tinnion after being introduced as a substitute.

“They gave us a hard game and it was 0-0 after an hour or so, and other than a moment of madness from their player it could have gone very different,” Rudd said.

“I think their league position is false, to be honest.

“They got beat at the weekend but it was a 90th-minute penalty or something like that so it’s not like they were out of the game.

“They are always in close contests.

“We are aware of their style and we know it’s going to be tough.”

Simply Reds monthly draw: £500 – 503, George Hillary, of Great Clifton; £100 – 190, Geoff Minshaw, of Papcastle; £75 – 1454, Peter Scott, of Barepot; £50 – 2154, M Newton, of Seaton; £25 – 1127, Graham Barker, of Workington.

The rollover of £125 was not won and will be increased to £250 for February.

The draw was witnessed by Alan Chadwick.