Workington Reds boss Danny Grainger reaffirmed his commitment to the possession-based style of play which has put his side firmly in the title picture ahead of the first of two back-to-back visits to Borough Park for Ossett United today (3pm kick-off).

Reds won 2-0 at Prescot Cables last weekend with a grittier performance which the manager admitted was far from a classic.

And he does not intend to make winning ugly a habit, preferring to stick to the passing and probing displays which have won his team 50 points from 24 games and put them second in the NPL North West Division Table with the league’s third-most goals scored and second-best defence.

Grainger said: “This last fortnight has been the first time we’ve been off the top spot all season but we haven’t changed the way we’ve done things.

“We need to make sure that we keep doing that and focus on what has got us where we are.

“As long as we stick to our guns I feel confident we’ll get where we want to be.”

As the season heads towards its final act and pitches start to show signs of wear and tear after months of action, Grainger could be tempted to adapt to the deterioration of playing surfaces and go more direct.

But the former Carlisle United captain does not believe that will be necessary and instead implored his players to stay brave and confident with the ball.

“I know sometimes the football can look a little bit needless, but it’s not.

“It is all done for a purpose and every pass is made with the intention of achieving something.

“I don’t believe in just passing for the sake of it.

“We need to stick by it and be brave on the ball.”

Reds have been named the NPL North West Division’s club of the month for December, with chairman John Mackay receiving an engraved glass memento from NPL chief Mark Harris.