Fleetwood Town boss Lee Johnson felt his team let Carlisle United off the hook in a “low-quality” relegation clash.

The manager of United’s opponents believes the hosts did not punish the Blues when they had opportunities during the 1-1 draw.

Fleetwood quickly fought back in the first half when Jayden Stockley cancelled out Owen Moxon’s opener.

But neither side could take the initiative from there and both now occupy the bottom two places in League One.

“I thought it was a low-quality game, if I’m honest,” said Johnson.

“We let them off the hook far too many times, when we had set play opportunities or wide areas.

“We demanded more off our wide men at half-time. And a little bit changed but I can’t remember a cross that Stockley’s had the chance to attack, from a dead ball or open play.

“We’ve got to be honest and say we lacked detail and quality at times. But we’re asking the same set of lads to churn it out at the moment. With so many injured, we’re hobbling to January.”

News and Star: Jordan Gibson goes close for United late onJordan Gibson goes close for United late on (Image: Richard Parkes)

Johnson was frustrated that Fleetwood allowed United to get their way in front, even if the lead only lasted eight minutes.

While the Cumbrians are winless in eight in the league, the Cod Army are also on a barren run with no victories in six.

“They are an honest bunch, [but] we’ve conceded the first goal again – we’ve given the opposition a leg-up by a poor mistake, poor communication, not to clear the ball,” added Johnson, speaking to the BBC.

“If teams get something to grab hold of in this division, they’re going to do that.

“We’ve done well to come back but it would be nice for us to get a goal up and us to have the opportunity to hold onto something.”

Like Carlisle, Fleetwood have a number of players out through injury and Johnson suggested the January window will be a key spell for his club.

“A couple are nursing niggles but at the moment they’re going to have to keep going out there because it’s all we’ve got,” he added.