CARLISLE United manager Chris Beech has played down the significance of today's Cumbrian derby and said he just wants to win every game.

The Blues take on the Bluebirds at Holker Street at 3pm today, with both sides desperate for points - but for very different reasons.

Chris Beech's play-off chasing side are just three points behind seventh placed Newport, and while Rob Kelly has steered Barrow six points clear of Southend United in the final relegation place, there's no doubt the south Cumbrians would like a bigger gap.

The reverse fixture in October was the first time the two clubs had met in the Football League since 1964.

On that day, it was Carlisle who emerged victorious thanks to a Jon Mellish header - his first in United colours - but the game wasn't without drama, after vice-captain Aaron Hayden was sent off for kicking out at Barrow's James Jones.

Speaking after Tuesday night's victory over Scunthorpe, Beech suggested United would be approaching the game like any other.

However, he was also quick to praise his side's opponents.

Beech said: "Barrow are very dogged. To be honest, I watched the game against Colchester on TV yesterday. They did ever so well and will feel unfortunate not to have won that game.

"They've been doing great under Rob, so they will be fighting all the way. We just have to give our best and see what happens.

"I just want to win because it's a game of football, so it has no extra heightened thing for us.

"I think winning the first one earlier in the season did, because it's the first one for 40 odd fifty years or whatever it was and the media built it up.

"So I don't want to lose that, but I don't want to lose anyway, I want to win everything I can possibly try and win.

"We're playing a very competitive team that are fighting for their lives. Again, there's a lot of players that know each other in both sets of teams.

"We've got to respect them and we've got to try our best to get something."

United go into today's game on the back of a good run of form - they have won their last three matches, scoring six goals and conceding none.

Barrow meanwhile have won two, drawn one and lost two in their last five games.

The sides are separated by 12 places and 14 in League 2. Victory for Carlisle would keep their outside hopes of a playoff place alive with just eight games left to play.

All but two of the sides above the Blues in the table have played more games after United saw ten games postponed mid-season due to coronavirus and the weather.

Meanwhile, Barrow could rise up to 19th if results go their way.