It was a moment that had been coming a long time - but it still hurt.

Carlisle United's 2-0 defeat at Northampton Town confirmed the Blues' relegation back to League Two.

Some 335 travelling fans backed the Blues with typical loyalty at the Sixfields Stadium.

And they couldn't hide their disappointment as United's inevitable demise from the third tier was sealed.

Click on the image at the top of this article to scroll through some of photographer Richard Parkes' pictures of the Blue Army...