Carlisle United must build their promotion challenge without any more loan signings this year after failing to add to their squad on deadline day.

Manager Keith Curle was frustrated in his attempts to bring new faces into Brunton Park before the 11pm cut-off.

The Blues went close to the deadline in their bid to clinch one of several possible loan deals, with the focus on two targets in particular.

But they were unable to make any additions - while there were also no departures from the club as the summer transfer window closed.

Curle had previously spoken about his wish to add depth to his squad at full-back, wide midfield and in attack.

He must now wait until January to do any further deals - other than free agents.

Before deadline day United's boss had maintained he was happy with his existing squad in the event of making no further recruits.

The Cumbrians, though, will be happy to have made their way past the deadline without any moves materialising for any of their own players - despite speculation surrounding the likes of Michael Raynes and Mark Gillespie in recent weeks.

But the squad does appear light in a couple of key areas should the Blues suffer any injury problems in the coming months.

Curle suffered a blow early in the day when it was confirmed that Alex Gilliead had joined Luton on loan.

The Blues boss had hoped to bring the Newcastle winger back to Brunton Park for a second spell.

But instead the 20-year-old opted for a move to Kenilworth Road, where he could face Carlisle on December 10.

Luton manager Nathan Jones described the half-season loan signing of Gilliead as a "real coup" for the Hatters.

Curle has always insisted he would not make panic signings to add to his squad simply for the sake of it.

He said: "I want to bring in the right quality. If it's not right for me, or the club, I won't just bring bodies in.

"I can't have a total disregard for the business of the club. I'm trying to develop a profile for myself that I can build footballing teams but work within the budget of the club.

"It's my responsibility to get the best I can for the club."

Elsewhere, another former Carlisle loan winger - Reading's Jack Stacey - sealed a half-season move to Exeter.

And another notable move in League Two saw Manchester United's west Cumbrian goalkeeper Dean Henderson join Grimsby until January.

It will see the England Under-20 prospect, from Whitehaven, get his first taste of Football League action.

Henderson, who was on Carlisle's youth books before joining the Old Trafford giants aged 14, is joined at Blundell Park by former Blues loan midfielder Brandon Comley, who also joined on a half-season loan from QPR.