Luke Joyce says Carlisle United are "better" than the mid-table position where they are going to finish their League Two campaign.

But the midfielder concedes that recent performances haven't been good enough to sustain a play-off challenge.

United are preparing for their final game of the season at Notts County this weekend.

While Joyce says Carlisle are coming to the end of a "solid" campaign, he admits it could have been better.

"It's been an improvement on last season, and your remit at the start of the season is obviously to improve on your last," he said.

"We know we could do better than where we are in the league, 12th - we know we're better than that, and we've put in performances that justify that.

"But over the last few weeks we've not won enough games, or scored enough goals, and in the end we are where we deserve to be.

"It's really important for everyone - players, staff, fans - that we finish on a high with three points at Notts County, before the awards dinner on Sunday.

"It would be nice to go to that knowing we got three points the day before. Hopefully that will lift us into the top 10 and then it's been a good, solid season which we can build on next year."

Joyce said the sight of Oxford's big travelling support on Saturday, for a game that could have seen them promoted, is something Carlisle have to try and emulate with a successful 2016/17 season.

The midfielder says he and his team-mates weren't distracted by the chants being aimed at Carlisle's board by some fans during the game.

And on his own recent displays, 28-year-old Joyce added: "I've maybe been a little disappointed with some of my performances at home.

"I seem to have done better away from home - whether that's down to the way we play, or whether being the away team suits me more, I'm not sure.

"I know I can improve, I can do better."