Ex-Liverpool striker Neil Mellor took a dim view of the "time-wasting" which he said affected Carlisle United's 1-1 draw with Sutton United.

The former player, who was covering the fixture for Sky Sports, said the game highlighted the need for greater action from officials.

Mellor called for an increase in added time at the end of such matches - similar to the lengthy periods of stoppage time in the World Cup in Qatar.

He posted his views on Twitter after the League Two clash at Brunton Park.

"The amount of stoppages, time wasting, delays was so frustrating to watch today and yet only four added minutes," said the former Preston North End frontman.

"It rewards teams for the time-wasting antics.

READ MORE: Carlisle United v Sutton United - as it happened

"Would like to see more added on like seen in World Cup."

Referee Lewis Smith and his fellow officials came in for criticism from Blues supporters for his apparent failure to deal with some of Sutton's approach.

United manager Paul Simpson also suggested there should have been more than the minimum four minutes that were indicated after the 90-minute mark.

But he also stressed that was not the reason Carlisle failed to win the game.

He said: "I think there was a frustration because they [Sutton] made it a real stop-start game and there were times when they were going down injured, when maybe they weren’t.

"There was a lot of time-wasting and all that sort of thing, and I suppose in a way you’d probably expect a bit more than four minutes, but we didn’t get that.

"Saying that, I’m not sure that even if he’d put ten minutes up we’d have actually got a second goal if we’re going to be really honest. Probably the best thing was to get that whistle blown, get it done, and let’s move on."