Paul Simpson says Carlisle United will dare to be attack-minded against League One’s most prolific side today.

Simpson does not feel a defensive style aimed at a shutout would be the right approach against Peterborough United (Weston Homes Stadium, 3pm).

Posh have scored more than any other side in the division while the Blues, en route to likely relegation, have conceded the most.

Manager Simpson acknowledges the dangers posed by Darren Ferguson’s side but is backing his own team to give them some problems.

“The players are aware of what they're about, we know that, and sometimes there's not a lot you can do if one of their players like Ephron Mason-Clark or Kwame Poku get you faced up and get running at you,” he said.

“Because it's really difficult to deal with pace. But we're hopefully going to be able to set up with a team and a shape that will be able to try and deal with that threat, but also give us a chance of actually going and scoring goals and continuing what we've done in a few games lately, where we've managed to get two goals.

“I don't think we can go there and hope to get a 0-0 draw. I don't think we can set up to do that.

“So we're going to go there and try and be positive and make sure that we actually could cause them some problems, because I think if we can get the right set-up, and if our players can go and play to the level they're capable of, we can actually catch them.”

Defeat today would push United to the brink of the drop, with the Cumbrians starting Easter weekend 15 points adrift of safety with seven games left.

There is the prospect of relegation being confirmed by Easter Monday – unless the Cumbrians can conjure some positive results over the holiday weekend.

Simpson said a better run of performances over the closing part of the campaign can give some overdue payback to United’s loyal fans – and send them into the summer with a little more hope.

“The most important thing is that we actually get some positive results for the supporters,” said Simpson.

“I think with what they've given to us this season, we actually owe them something back as well, in terms of the results.

“They have stayed with us for the whole season. So I'm just hoping that we can actually give something back to them in the last seven games.

“We've got to make sure we go and do it properly so that they go away for the summer break with a little bit more of a positive picture in the minds of what we can be capable of.

“And if we do that, then we can go into the summer knowing that we've given them something back.”