Keith Curle has told Carlisle United's fans they have "no excuse" not to turn up at Brunton Park and back his side's revitalised promotion push.

The Blues manager says next weekend's six-pointer against Portsmouth deserves as much support as possible from the Cumbrian faithful.

It follows Carlisle's back-to-back wins against promotion rivals, including Saturday's 2-1 win at Wycombe.

Curle now says it is time for everyone to get behind his side.

"There's no excuses now," he said.

"If you're a Carlisle United supporter and you're in your house listening to a radio next Saturday, you're wrong.

"Because I don’t care what's gone on in the past, this is about what we're trying to do and what we're trying to bring.

"I'll be disappointed if I get people five minutes after the game ringing up with a complaint. It's because they haven't been to the game.

"If you're a Carlisle fan, come to the game, lend your support."

United, now five points above the play-off places, could increase their gap over fifth-placed Pompey to nine points next weekend.

That follows goals from Jamie Proctor and Reggie Lambe in Saturday's gritty win at Adams Park.

Curle added: "It was a challenge, we faced the challenge, and now the focus is a massive test and a massive game against Portsmouth.

"If there's not 9-10,000 supporters there, I don’t know what else I can do.

"We're putting the football club in a fantastic position, Portsmouth are going to bring a lot of fans and they are noisy. Their supporters are noisy but they won't outshout us."

Curle, meanwhile, said Carlisle's "bravery" was behind their first win at Wycombe for 20 years.

Proctor and Lambe hit back after Adebayo Akinfenwa's opener for the hosts.

Curle said: "We know how Gareth [Ainsworth, Wycombe manager] plays. And we've got a lot of respect for how they play because it does get them results.

"Teams can come unstuck if you've got a soft centre, if you're not willing and brave enough to stand up to the challenge and earn the right to play your football. The players stood up to the challenge."

The Blues are also now just three points adrift of second-placed Plymouth, with Curle's side the only team in the top 11 to win on Saturday.