Keith Curle admits Carlisle United will not be able to play "Championship football" against Barnet this afternoon.

The Blues boss signalled a likely change of style after Tuesday's impressive cup showing at Derby.

United's patient passing game caught the eye at the iPro Stadium as Carlisle took Nigel Pearson's second-tier side to the wire.

But this afternoon's encounter in north London could prove a more attritional encounter.

Curle said: "We can play Championship football. There’s a realisation from myself and the coaching staff that we know what we are capable of.

"But we are in League Two, and to get out of League Two, sometimes you are going to have to earn the right to play football.

"First and foremost, you have to make sure you do the horrible side of the game very well.

"We have players in there that have done and are doing that. Barnet will be a fantastic test. That will be League Two. They won’t give an inch."

Curle will check on Jason Kennedy (knee) before this afternoon's game, with Reggie Lambe eyeing a recall.

Like his opposite number, Bees boss Martin Allen is also keen to extend their unbeaten league start.

Allen said on Barnet's website: "Including pre-season games, I think we’ve only lost one match in quite a while now.

“But we’ve still got to improve on that. I don’t want to accept just being an average mid-table group and I am not going to accept that.

"This group can do much, much better and we have to.”

Dangerman John Akinde has scored in Barnet's last three games. Keeper Jamie Stephens could be recalled after injury.

Fans must pay £25 (adult price) to watch today's game at The Hive.