It was another day of dismay for Carlisle United.

The 3-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers pushed the Blues to third bottom in League Two.

It also saw fan criticism towards boss Chris Beech and the club hierarchy intensify - with head coach Beech's departure later confirmed. 

Photographer Richard Parkes was at the Memorial Stadium - and his images tell the story of a club in troubled times...

Watching on from the directors' areas were two of United's main decision-makers - long-serving chairman Andrew Jenkins and director of football David Holdsworth. Their expressions say it all...

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On the pitch, there was again dismay and disbelief from United's players, who have now lost three successive league games without scoring. Captain Callum Guy looks shellshocked here after the Blues conceded a third goal at Bristol.

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It was a frustrating day for all United's players, not least Lewis Alessandra, who was booked for dissent before being subbed early in the second half on another exasperating Blues day.

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United were exposed in the closing stages of the game as Bristol Rovers turned a one-goal lead into a 3-0 win. When Harvey Saunders fired the third past league debutant keeper Lukas Jensen, it put the cap on another wretched day for the Blues.

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It was another forlorn ending to the game, and United's abject situation is summed up by the demeanour of midfielder Jon Mellish as he heads over to join younger team-mates in applauding the travelling fans.

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United's travelling support oncec again had little to cheer about. There werne't many reasons to smile among those who made the long trip to the Memorial Stadium.

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As for Chris Beech, it was another stark day as criticism from supporters grew. The head coach was unable to inspire a turnaround in form on Saturday and less than 24 hours later, his tenure was over.

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Beech and his players thanked the travelling fans for their support, as they left the pitch a beaten side for the latest time in this declining campaign.

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So where do United and their powerbrokers go next, after Beech's departure?

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