Carlisle United say they are confident their major push for an 8,000 crowd for the MK Dons game will succeed.

The Blues this week said they have already passed the halfway mark in ticket sales for the February 16 clash at Brunton Park.

It comes after the club launched their #8kforMK campaign - featuring reduced ticket prices - which has captured fans’ imagination.

It has seen social media videos involving players, posters displayed across the area and some businesses donating tickets to schools and community groups.

Katie Mitchell, from United’s ticket office, said: “The response to the campaign has been fantastic and we would like to thank everyone for getting on board and helping us with it.

“Fans, families, sponsors and businesses large and small have given us their backing, and it has been amazing to see the photos come flooding in with people displaying our posters in all manner of imaginative ways.

“We’re over halfway now and we’re feeling confident that the target will be achieved, which will be wonderful to see.”