A win in tonight's Integro League Cup tie against Marine could be the boost Workington Reds need says joint chairman John Mackay.

After a poor run of form in the league, Mackay is hoping that his side can turn things around in tonight's tie at Borough Park, ko 7.45pm.

And a win could boost them ahead of Saturday's crucial league trip to Barwell.

"Yes we are having a bad spell in the league but it was always going to happen," said Mackay.

"Lots of clubs have bad spells when the results just don't go their way but that does not make us a bad team overnight.

"We have a genuine bunch of lads who are trying their best. They didn't play as well as normal on Saturday but days like that happen.

"We just need to get it out of their system and move on to the next match.

"It would be good if the lads could go out and get a win under their belts tonight as a boost to confidence."

Joint manager Lee Andrews has some tough calls to make this week as Reds will follow up tonight's clash with a Cumberland Cup game against Workington Athletic on Thursday night, before getting back to the league on Saturday.

And all parties agree that the league has to take priority, so squad players and reserves will also be used to bolster the side, who are already missing Anthony Wright and Josh Calvert through injury.

"We will have to mix and match for both games I would have thought," added Mackay.

"The league has to be the most important to us now and we can't afford to lose any more players or be too tired for Saturday.

"But the bonus of Billy Redden, currently helping out with the first team is that he can point the reserves in the right direction and he knows the lads that come in.

"But hopefully these young lads will come in and give us a lift to keep some of our other players fresh for Saturday."