Keith Curle believes Carlisle United will face a more "direct" threat than usual from promotion-chasing Exeter tomorrow.

The Grecians are renowned for their passing style under long-serving boss Paul Tisdale.

But Curle admits the involvement of 17-goal target-man Jayden Stockley gives the Devon side a different dimension.

"I think they've slightly changed their philosophy," Curle said.

"If you look at their playing surface, they've had to change their passing style, and they've gone a bit more direct.

"With Jayden Stockley up front they have a player they can build off - they can also get the ball in wide areas and into the box, and the lad will score goals.

"He's a player we respect, and they are a football club we respect. It shows the adaptability of their manager, that he's able to change his philosophy, rather than being a one-dimensional coach."

Curle believes tomorrow is another opportunity for United to put pressure on teams higher up in the play-off race.

"We're in the chasing pack and its a good place to be," the Blues boss said.

"I went to Mansfield v Lincoln [on Tuesday] and you can tell there is an air of anxiety and nervousness about the crowd.

"That can rub off. Sometimes at this stage of the season it can be easier to pick up points away from home against teams at the top end because of that anxiety.

"One misplaced pass, one goal against - you can feel anxiety coming from the terraces, and it can infiltrate the team. It can work in your advantage when you're a chasing team playing away from home."

Curle admits he has plenty of respect for Tisdale, who has been in charge at St James' Park for nearly 12 years.

"Last season, when Paul brought his team here, we beat them and they went bottom of the league," the United boss said.

"They ended up above us and [beating us] in the play-offs, so fair credit to him. He's galvanised his football club and seen an upward spiral. We had a slowish start [this season] but are trying to finish the season on a high."

After exchanging 21 goals in four meetings last season, Curle believes another goal fest could be on the cards tomorrow.

"If I was a gambling man, and was allowed to gamble on football, I would not put down a 0-0 draw as Exeter-Carlisle," he said.