Workington Reds can go top of the NPL West again tonight when they host Bootle.
The West Cumbrians lost their lead during October/November when they suffered League defeats to Warrington Rylands and Runcorn Linnets.
They also drew with Newcastle Town while a number of injured players were regaining fitness.
But successive away wins at Mossley and Colne, and a narrow home success against Prescot Cables pushed Chris Willcock’s team back up to second behind Marine.
With Reds not playing on Saturday, Marine had the chance to increase their lead but were beaten 3-2 at Leek Town.
But Warrington Rylands won 4-2 at Bootle to slip ahead of Reds on goal difference, from one more game.
It leaves Reds able to go back top by a point if they beat Bootle tonight, although they will have played two more games than Marine.
The Reds players had a team bonding day out at Aintree races on Saturday and manager Willcock took the opportunity to slip away from the course to watch Bootle in action.
The Merseysiders, who changed manager after a poor start to the season, have won eight and lost nine so far – the one team alongside Marine who have not drawn a League game.
Reds will still be without Ruben Jerome, serving the second of his three-game suspension while Iyrwah Gooden still hasn’t recovered from a knock he took in the last game ten days ago.
Brad Carroll, who suffered an eye injury in the 3-0 win at Colne over a fortnight ago is fit to return while Nico Evangelinos is also expected to be involved after his latest injury set-back.
Kick-off is 7.45pm.
