Carlisle United's next league game will be played behind closed doors after hosts Scunthorpe failed to gain approval to run a test event for fans.

The Glanford Park club have confirmed that their hopes of welcoming supporters to their ground for the Blues game have been dashed.

This, they say, is because of a rise in Covid-19 infection rates in North Lincolnshire in the last seven days.

It is a blow to hopes of further matches in front of supporters soon, following seven test games in the EFL on Saturday including Carlisle's game against Southend which saw 1,000 fans in attendance.

In a statement, Scunthorpe said: "Scunthorpe United Football Club can confirm that unfortunately, due to the increase in infection rates across North Lincolnshire over the last seven days, we have been unable to receive approval from the council's Safety Advisory Group to host a pilot event.

"The SAG includes representatives from Public Health, North Lincolnshire Council and Humberside Police.

"We had hoped to be able to apply to the EFL to do this for the home game against Carlisle United on Saturday, September 26th should the opportunity have arisen again like it did for some league clubs that had home games last weekend.

"While we are very disappointed that we will not be able to welcome supporters back into the Sands Venue Stadium this week, we know these decisions are not taken lightly and will continue to work closely with all of the relevant bodies, like we have done over recent months, in a bid to welcome our fans back to live football as soon as possible.

"The safety of our players, staff, spectators and the wider public continues to be of paramount importance to the club."