Keith Millen pledged to “keep fighting” as criticism mounted after Carlisle United’s slump into the League Two relegation zone.

The 3-0 home defeat to Swindon Town deepened the crisis at Brunton Park.

Some fans have called for Millen to go after just four months in charge as the Cumbrians face the serious risk of relegation to non-league.

The manager, though, said that while he understands the criticism, he will not buckle.

“I’ve got no problems with that question being thrown at me, because quite rightly when you’re on a bad run at the end of the day the manager takes the brunt of it,” he said.

“I’ve got no problem with that. All I can say is I know how hard I work, I know the game, I know what I’m doing. And I will do everything I can to put it right.

“That decision will be taken out of my hands, that doesn’t concern me, I will carry on working tomorrow, come in Monday and I’ll keep fighting ‘til I’m told differently.”

United are now second bottom after a dreadful showing against a Harry McKirdy-inspired Swindon Town.

The ex-Blues man scored the opener and then laid on two in the second half for Josh Davison and Louie Barry and celebrated all three goals in front of angry United fans.

Oldham Athletic’s 2-0 win over Bradford City sent the Cumbrians into the drop zone with many fans scathing about Millen and director of football David Holdsworth.

The Blues are facing an increasingly desperate battle to save their skins and Millen said: “I have exactly the same feelings [as the worried fans] – whether I come from London or Carlisle, I’ve come here to be successful.

“I can assure them it hurts me as much as it’s hurting them, because this is my career; it’s what I do for a living.

“I will do everything I can, we will work every day, and we’ve got to try and make sure, I’ve got to try and make sure, that the team aren’t feeling sorry for themselves, because they are at the moment, and once they’re over the disappointment, we’ve got to come out fighting.

“That’s what the supporters want to see. They want to see a team that’s fighting for their lives.”

Millen insisted “there wasn’t much in the game” until McKirdy fired Swindon’s opener in the 17th minute.

He admitted confidence was knocked by the goal and said the next goals United conceded were poor - and typified their current efforts.

“At the moment we can’t defend, that’s the crux of it,” he said.

“We can’t defend individually, we can’t defend as a unit and we can’t defend as a team, and that’s the story of the game.

“When you’re in a relegation fight, the basics are you keep a clean sheet. It’s not just about ability or because you’re young or new to the club, it’s a mindset.

“It’s really putting your body on the line and it’s about how much it hurts when someone beats you or when someone scores against you. If it doesn’t hurt, then you’re in trouble.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do. All we’ve got to think about now is how we keep a clean sheet.”

Millen insisted there is enough “ability” in the dressing room and said it was a case of showing enough “fight” to get Carlisle out of trouble.

The Cumbrians are now a point behind John Sheridan’s Oldham, who are now third bottom and still have a game in hand.