John Sheridan said he could make no excuses for the loss of Carlisle United’s winning run at Mansfield.

The Blues were below-par as they suffered their first League Two defeat since the opening day.

Tyler Walker’s controversial penalty settled the game but the hosts blew several chances to enhance their 1-0 victory.

United boss Sheridan admitted too many of his players were below par and he is now seeking a reaction.

“I’m not looking for excuses,” he said.

“We would have been fortunate to get something out of the game.

“I just felt we didn’t get going. We lacked that urgency and bit of desire to our game, which I haven’t said before this season.

“It’s that belief – do you want to go and get the win?

“We would have been in the top three with a win, but it wasn’t to be. It’s League Two, not the Premiership, and you have to accept these performances. There will be plenty more along the way.”

Saturday’s setback was also the first time United have failed to score under Sheridan, Jerry Yates having their best chance saved by home keeper Bobby Olejnik at the death.

Keeper Adam Collin made several good saves on his first start of the campaign, while Macaulay Gillesphey and George Glendon were also recalled by the Carlisle boss.

Sheridan added: “I changed a system, changed a winning team, and other than a few [Mansfield] corners I was happy with the way we played in the first half.

“But we weren’t really at it [overall]. They had some good chances but we were our own worst enemy.

“I wanted a bit more from us, a bit of belief. Unfortunately at this level of football you don’t know who’s going to turn up.

“It wasn’t until the last 10-15 minutes when we started showing some urgency and causing them some problems, and we should have got a goal.

“I shouldn’t have to wait to 70 minutes for that. When you get into a decent position, don’t let it go as easily as it did. There were so many silly free-kicks and I’ve never seen so many balls going back to the keeper.

“But we’ll take it. I’m not too hard on them, because it’s been a decent start so far, but I want more.”

Sheridan insisted he did not get a clear view of the game’s crucial moment, when ref Darren Drysdale penalised Jamie Devitt for a challenge on CJ Hamilton.

That enabled Walker to score the winner from the spot.

United’s players were adamant it was a soft decision, with footage of the incident appearing to support their complaints.

Sheridan was critical about the ref’s display in general, saying: “He’s never got his whistle out of his mouth all day.

“It’s grown men’s football. Every time someone touches someone it was a free kick. I cant stand it, honestly. It drives me up the wall. For me it spoils the game.”

Sheridan confirmed he would make changes for tomorrow’s Checkatrade Trophy game against Morecambe.

The manager’s No2, Tommy Wright, was in the dugout as normal a day after it was revealed he is facing two charges of accepting bribes. He will appear before Westminster magistrates on September 24.

* United’s youth team drew 0-0 with Fleetwood on Saturday.