Chris Beech says he needs more players at his disposal to give him the best chance of leading Carlisle United up the table.

The Blues’ 0-0 draw with Grimsby saw Beech’s side go six points clear of the League Two relegation place.

It was a third straight home clean sheet for the Cumbrians, who are unbeaten in five games, including Beech’s four matches in charge.

But at the other end they struggled to overcome one of their rivals at the wrong end of the division.

Beech was without several players to injury and is also lining up options in the transfer market.

He said: “I had 17 fit professionals [on Saturday]. We need more fit bodies available for selection.

“Then we’ve got to look at how we build in terms of opportunities within January.”

Beech said he went to watch Blackburn’s under-23s on Friday night, and was also due to attend a game yesterday, as he looks at potential targets.

He added: “It’s important we get eyes on the ground in as many places as possible.

“They will have players available for loans, possible free transfers, and I’m trying my best to get as many of our staff members to get eyes on the ground.”

Hallam Hope hit the bar for United on Saturday but Grimsby also struck the woodwork twice and forced other chances.

Beech was happy to have increased the gap between the Blues and bottom spot but admitted he wanted more from his side.

He said: “Often you don’t get everything your own way.

“When you do work hard and the lads show resilience, it’s great to have a Brucie Bonus, I suppose you call it.

“But of course I want us to push harder to get those three points.

“I knew the game would be difficult. The conditions were horrific again with the wind but the players stood strong, they looked comfortable and we definitely pushed towards the end of the game to find the winning goal.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get it.”

Beech admitted his side did not start the game well but finished it on top.

He also refused to criticise Canice Carroll for his display at right-back despite Beech substituting the loanee at half-time.

The head coach said: “I’m not gonna criticise him, because I rang him to ask, and to talk about that opportunity for him, and he was fully inclusive and behind it.

“It didn’t quite work for him. Just like I made the change to bring Aaron Hayden into the team, and played him right-back on Tuesday, you make those decisions and hopefully they go well.

“If they don’t, you have to look at changing it. It’s a bit harsh on Canice, because he was fully motivated on Tuesday [against Forest Green] and gave everything physically.

“I’ve talked about him, and all of us, to tidy up our passing and range of passes. There were too many fouls and he struggled a little bit with that backpass [which gave Grimsby a chance late in the first half], but what was pleasing was the fact he was prepared to do that [role] in how we could look to beat Grimsby.

“Christie [Elliott] came on and had a good second half. We’ve had a good defence with people who want to defend. I’ve looked at the goals Carlisle have conceded over the season, and the lads have responded defensively to what we’ve asked of them.

“We’ve got to get the ball down in midfield and pass and move it forwards, then I want my attacking players to come to life.

“It grew as the game went on, but it needs to finish with a goal rather than a ricochet or a block.”

Beech said, that, going forward, it is a case of getting the right balance between midfield and attack.

He said: “I found that, when Scougs [Stefan Scougall] and Jonah [Mike Jones] work together, rather than one up, one down, they press well together.

“They did some good things in the first half, those two, when Scougs turned in midfield, Jarrad [Branthwaite] passed one to Jonah, he took a back-foot take and tried to slip Ryan Loft in – that’s the point where I need more from our front four in terms of movements; opportunities for the players to pass.

“What’s hard for them is, when we don’t keep possession enough, they don’t make as many runs. We have to bring it together a bit.

“We’re very close to doing very well. You could argue very well in terms of not getting beat for the five games. But I want to win football matches.”

*United's scheduled Central League Cup reserve game at Blackpool today has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.