Chris Beech admitted he was “angry and frustrated” after another late goal cost Carlisle United.

Cambridge’s 90th-minute strike subjected the Blues to a 2-1 defeat as their dire run of form continued.

United have lost three on the spin and won one in 13, sliding to 14th in League Two.

Head coach Beech, who has faced further criticism from fans in light of the Blues’ fall down the table, admitted the goals Carlisle conceded were poor, but insisted his team deserved a result out of the Brunton Park game.

He said: “The two goals are very avoidable. But they [Cambridge] have got them, they’ve got good players and they’re in that rhythm and spirit.

“To be fair to Mark [Bonner, their manager] he acknowledged our differences since the turn of the year [United’s Covid and postponement issues].

“He’s the first manager to do that, he gains a lot of respect out of me for that.

“We deal with it and get on with it. We’ve been punched right on the nose, right at the end, and it’s very difficult not to be angry, frustrated and tell somebody to…get lost.”

Beech felt Carlisle’s overall display was worth something out of the game, which saw Paul Mullin shoot Cambridge ahead and sub Lewis Alessandra level before Adam May’s 90th-minute winner.

“We got another performance,” he said. “It deserved points.

“We’ve conceded last-minute goals in the last two home games and we also had one in the first half here.

“It’s very hard to take. It was very difficult to take for the players because we played very well against a very good team.”

Beech felt Carlisle kept Cambridge at bay for “long parts” of the game and did their best to “manage the conditions” in the latest match to be played in strong wind.

He also said United came off worse in key decisions in the game, claiming Omari Patrick was fouled by ex-Blues man Jack Iredale when trying to reach an Offrande Zanzala cross at 1-1.

“We can be nastier to support us getting more out of support from referees,” he said.

“Even our goal, I’m sure there’s two, three, maybe three handballs in that. I did ask the fourth official if he’d give a penalty if we didn’t score, and he says no.

“Omari’s then about to tap home after great work from Ozzy, Jack Iredale pushes him in the back, and it’s play on.

“I’m trying my best not to have too much of a go at the refs or Mike Jones the referees’ boss. I’d like to think we’ll get some more rub of the green with the opportunities in front of us.”

Beech, though, admitted of the goals they conceded: “Very avoidable. If you look, probably since the turn of the year, we conceded a lot of goals, including Leyton Orient’s, when we’re almost scoring ourselves.

“All the opponent’s doing is whacking it and we’re making a mess of it. And it’s very avoidable, very frustrating and we need to stop it.”

While United’s poor run of form is drawing increased criticism, Beech said there were certain opinions supporters should not be “influenced” by.

“Judge what you see,” he said. “Make your own choice. I can’t tell people what to do.

“Be careful who you listen to, who you’re influenced by. Whether it’s outside media, inside media, different players…just stick to what you know best and enjoy when we give everything and let’s try and turn that around into three points.”

He added of his team, who looked distraught at full-time: “They want to win. They give everything.

“If they didn’t…they’d be jogging off, not too bothered. But our players aren’t like that.

“I have noted a few comments in terms of what’s happening in and around the ground. The players do read social media. They’ve got to make sure we stick to giving everything. They deserved something and got nothing.

“I’m very confident of what we’re doing and will continue to do it.”

Some fans have again called on director of football David Holdsworth to comment on United’s slide. The News & Star has in recent times invited the Blues hierarchy to give their views on the situation.