North Wales Crusaders need to turn in a 'massively improved' performance at Workington Town this weekend, according to coach Anthony Murray.

The rearranged fixture sees the Wrexham club head to Derwent Park pursuing a return to winning ways after successive League One defeats.

Murray was left frustrated by his side's 30-10 home defeat to Newcastle Thunder last weekend, citing a lack of urgency from his players.

He said: "We didn't show anywhere near enough intensity in that first half and it felt like we failed to get going from the whistle.

"To find ourselves behind as we did because of our slow start was disappointing - I can't accept that and there has to be massive improvements in that respect.

"We've got lots of areas to work on like our fitness levels. That has to improve massively too, but you have to be careful with that because you don't want to do another pre-season during the season because of the fatigue it will cause the players.

"It's an area we need to address and there are one or two others as well. Yes I've only been here three weeks but I did expect more energy and urgency than what our players came up with against Newcastle

"But it's there, I know it's there in the players and it's just a matter of getting it out of them."

Workington are also looking to bounce back from defeat, after they were narrowly beaten at Hunslet last time out.

Much is expected of the Cumbrian side this season, and an impressive recruitment drive geared towards propelling the club into the Super 8s.

With the likes of Ryan Bailey, Fuifui Moimoi, and utility back Jordan Tansey among their ranks, Workington now boast a side packed with experience and quality

Despite a mixed start to their league campaign with three wins offset by three losses, Murray has been impressed with the side assembled by coach Leon Pryce.

He said: “Workington have spent a lot of money and have made their intentions clear and it's clear they're going for promotion.

“They’ve brought some big names in, and you don’t recruit like they have unless you have ambitions of being top of the table and gaining promotion.

“They are coming off the back of a defeat, but they're the only team to have beaten Bradford so far this season, which shows you the quality they have up there.

"So I think we’re in for a hard-fought game between two sides who want to get back to winning ways.”

Challenge Cup fifth round fixtures take centre stage this weekend, with League One leaders Doncaster hosting Featherstone Rovers.

Coventry Bears head to Widnes Vikings, Oldham host Hull KR, Barrow Raiders go to Toronto Wolfpack, Whitehaven entertain Rochdale Hornets, Catalans Dragons visit York while Leigh host London Broncos.