Curle’s Cumbrians push for play-offs

KEITH Curle believes Carlisle United are showing the qualities needed to make a late play-off charge.

Friday’s battling win at Cheltenham Town left the Cumbrians four points off the top seven ahead of Monday’s home match with Lincoln City.

Jamie Devitt’s second-half penalty was enough to extend their unbeaten run to eight and the boss emphasised that every player in the squad will have a part to play in their promotion bid.

“Every player, even those who haven’t travelled, have a part to play, whether it’s in the starting XI, in the 18 or in training,” Curle said.

“It was so important we had a starting point and a platform to build on at Cheltenham.

“You’d say we looked a threat when we introduced pace from the bench but the important thing was that we had a foothold in the game.

“Decisions have to be made and people may have looked at our team and had opinions on what they thought was right or wrong.

“I am prepared to take criticism but you have to have the bravery to make decisions that are right for the team.

“We are at the stage of the season now where we need wins.” Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson said that while he was pleased with his side’s overall performance, he was disappointed they failed to seriously threaten to level after falling behind.

“We played some good football and looked sharp at times without really having too many clear-cut chances,” he said.

“We had a lot of blocked shots, which is what they do well and they have a lot of experience.

“With hindsight I wish I hadn’t changed it after the goal as we didn’t improve. I put on a couple of big players and suddenly we didn’t have the cohesion anymore.

Cheltenham looked the more likely winners for long spells but Carlisle’s backline stood firm.

And in the 73rd minute, substitute Hallam Hope was brought down in the box and Devitt sent Scott Flinders the wrong way. It was the midfielder’s tenth goal of the campaign.

Gary Liddle performed well in a holding midfield role, while Clint Hill dealt well with 20-goal Mohamed Eisa.

After the penalty, Richie Bennett nearly made it 2-0 with a low shot which beat Flinders but bounced back off the post.

Flinders also saved well from Hope twice late on as Carlisle finished strongly.