Keith Curle insisted Carlisle United would battle their way through their first real "sticky patch" of the season and keep their automatic promotion hopes on track.

The Blues boss admitted there was a nervousness around Brunton Park as United were held by 10-man Morecambe.

It is now one point from a possible nine from the Cumbrians, whose lead above the play-off places was cut to two points.

But Curle stressed that unity in a difficult spell would get United back on track.

He said: "There was a nervousness about the group because we'd lost two games back-to-back.

"Everyone was a bit tentative. It's human nature. But we grind our way out of it through good habits and doing the right things.

"The crowd played their part by staying with the players at half-time and all through the second half.

"Let's remember where we were. How many times have we lost three league games on the spin [since I've been in charge]?

"You'd probably say this is as difficult a time that the current changing room has faced. But we will come through it."

Charlie Wyke's 17th goal of the season earned Carlisle a point after Aaron Wildig's opener for Morecambe.

The visitors lost Dean Winnard to a 74th-minute red card shortly before Wyke levelled.

United remained without some key men on Saturday with Danny Grainger and Mike Jones still out injured and Jabo Ibehre sidelined with a virus.

With Michael Raynes only deemed capable of playing 45 minutes after illness, Curle opted for a makeshift back four which saw Tom Miller at left-back and Alex McQueen handed his first league start of the season at right-back.

New signing Gary Liddle impressed in defence and Curle said these testing weeks will show exactly what he has at his disposal.

"It's a long season and we are a very durable squad," he said.

"We've got good characters, good belief, good focus. It would be excellent if we just assembled a team, went out and won the first 28 games, got promotion and saw the season out. But there's going to be twists and turns. And this is character-building.

"Individually and collectively, we're learning about each other. Can people handle certain different stresses and strains?

"We're in a good place - 26 games, three defeats. That’s not bad, especially when you go back to when we first came in as a management team and the club had had one win in 23 league games.

"That was a nervy place. We build together, grow together. We've had a sticky patch and we've stuck together. The crowd stuck with us because they could see we're trying to do the right things."

On Liddle's debut, United's boss added: "He was assured, confident and competent.

"He has the ability to step in and play, and being reliable, consistent and dependable - those are three attributes you need as a defender."