Carlisle United's supporters' trust say the crisis on the pitch is unlikely to speed up "succession" talks at the top of the club.

CUOSC have told members that United's slide to second bottom of League Two is not expected to affect on the pace of ownership discussions.

The trust made the comment in response to a supporter's question which called for action to arrest the "terminal decline" of the club.

CUOSC's reply, published in a members' briefing today, said: "Succession and debt are the main topics right now for our board so this issue will remain our No1 priority in all meetings.

"The process of finding a breakthrough is ongoing as we have previously stated, but until there are firm developments to report, we won't be putting out any further statements. 

"Recent events on the pitch, although of obvious concern to CUOSC and all supporters, are unlikely to accelerate the process in place, re: succession.

"Rest assured the CUOSC board remains committed to finding a solution to succession, but we can't make any guarantees about the outcome, as we are not in control of it, or of the timescale."

United chairman Andrew Jenkins yesterday said Blues chiefs were in "regular" talks with "a possible investor wanting to take over the club."

Jenkins did not name the would-be investor, though it is widely understood that wealthy businessman Philip Day remains involved in the top-level situation.

Jenkins said talks would continue in a "businesslike" manner and in private, and not aired in the media.

CUOSC, meanwhile, have spoken of their surprise that controversial ex-Blues owner Michael Knighton was in the directors' box for yesterday's 1-0 defeat to Tranmere.

Knighton was welcomed into the boardroom and directors' area as he visited the city for an event at the Old Fire Station the previous night.

It was his first public appearance at Carlisle for 19 years after the acrimonious end of his 10-year tenure in 2002.

CUOSC, in their previous guise as CCUIST, had actively campaigned for Knighton's removal.

The trust said today: "We were very surprised to see him in the directors' box. Many supporters will be saddened by this given the acrimonious way he left the club."

United have not yet commented on Knighton's appearance, which has been criticised by some fans, but the controversial ex-businessman has today taken to Twitter to claim he was there at directors' invitation.

He wrote: "The chairman Andrew Jenkins and the directors of CUFC kindly invited me to the game on Saturday after I had popped in to say hello to the brilliant club secretary, the lovely Sarah McKnight."

Knighton added: "What a magnificent, warm, really lovely welcome you all gave me this weekend. I was truly moved by the genuine affection and kindness that all you wonderful Carlisle people gave to me on Friday and Saturday. The welcome was just the same from the CUFC boardroom. I miss you all so much."