Carlisle United fans gave us their views on Twitter after the 3-2 defeat to Salford City and the Blues' play-off situation. Here is a selection of their comments.

Proverbial game of two halves, awful first half, tactical switch at half time changed game. Mellish shouldn’t react, and if he doesn’t there is every chance we go on to win that with 11 men on the pitch. (@dnm_thegoose)

Limping in to the play offs with little or no momentum and with injuries and suspensions. Everyone will want to play us but despite all that, Simmo has done an unbelievable job considering where we were last season. (@TimLarge14)

Reminiscent of our last play-off game away at Exeter, late comeback to 2-2 only to go on and lose. Glass half full says better to do it now in the dress rehearsal rather than in the actual play-offs. Good spirit to come back, hope lessons can be learned. Still believe! (@mlgraham73)

I always try to seek the positives from a defeat, but I saw nothing to suggest we can win an upcoming play-off battle. The standard in this league is incredible, we have given it a right good go this season and have given it our best: that’s all anyone can ask for. (@AyeCumbrian)

Awful first half. Good the second. Similar to Stockport. The ref was more consistent however and was awful throughout. Gutted for Devitt. Barring an absolute disaster we are in the play-offs and everyone would’ve taken that in August (@parkinsonross)

Salford had the measure of us first half, some players off it but Simmo changes things again, which always improves us. No Mellish for three matches but barring a disaster we are in play-offs, when the starting 11 has to be 100 per cent right and we will need lady luck on our side (@peterjo91525330)

Disappointing, but will take the one-goal defeat after ending with nine men which protects the goal difference. Mellish was silly, but surely not a red. I thought Robinson put in some good crosses in when he came on actually (@mikebcarlisle)

Need some energy sharpish, think we’ve just run out of steam at the wrong time, I guess all the injuries in the first half of the season might be catching up with us. Barring a disaster it’s the play-offs and that’s not to be sniffed at, been an excellent season (@Halpinforpope) 

Never got going in the first half. Thought young Alfie did well when he came on. Joe Garner was top drawer. Stupidity from Mellish when we where on top though. Great advertisement for the league. On to Sutton (@jocktommo87)

You win a penalty but then end up with a stupid red card. Mellish should have been supporting Robinson when they scored a winner. Actions have consequences (@hatkinson5527)

A mistake by Simpson to start with four at the back. Second half, we seemed to throw off the shackles and actually played well. Absolute brain fart from Mellish when momentum was with us. (@totheshore)

Where to start? Nothing worked for the first 66 mins, again the set-up was suspect...the front three in what looked like a 4-3-3 were miles away from each other. Too much aerial stuff hoping Dennis would get on the end, shake off his marker/s turn and fire in, not happening! Two well-worked goals left us floundering. Enter five subs to go for it...which we did and got back on terms, brilliant! Jiggery-pokery by Salford and our favourite ref, Stockbridge, and we end the game on nine men, an unwanted injury and a dubious red card. It's the Carlisle way though... (@LindaNi121202)

Should’ve stuck to 3-5-2, tactics didn’t work, still weak up front until Garner came on, I would start him in play-offs (@thegaffa)

Unfortunately poor team selection in first half. Good fight back in the second. Hopefully we will play Salford in the play-offs as deep down, they are very average (@Glass942)

Shocking first half, slightly better second half, Mellish getting sent off and them scoring down that side only two minutes after we equalised. Too many dropped points against top of the league sides! (@PaulMar21281685)

Really poor. Changes gave us some spark but, to be honest we have to stop conceding goals just after we score. (@LEEROTHERHAM)

We played better when we changed the formation, the ref was awful, as per…Mellish lost his head but both players did the same and both should have seen red. Plenty of positives but gutted for Devitt. Rest the squad and let’s hit the play-offs (@James220203)

We were poor, that’s it. Also Mellish let himself, the fans and the club down. He knew it, but too late the deed was done. Grow up man. (@Rob_burn5)

A good season but last few games have shown where we really are. Not quite good enough yet. But still massive progress from last year. Fans need to stick with Simmo. A few shrewd signings will help us improve (@markcduffell)

Hit poor form at the wrong time to win the play-offs in my opinion, hope I’m wrong. Gave Salford too much respect today after demolishing them at their place, strange. Need a good performance next Monday to build some momentum. (@CarlisleBlue87)

Jon Mellish, why!? ……in the play-offs by default or avoiding a weird Mansfield final day scoreline. On a plus note - I thought Jack Robinson was superb when he came on. Appeal the red, learn from it and get the lads ready for a final push (@Invisiblebear84)

Big learning curve. Still in year one of the three but first half we were, at best, chasing shadows and didn’t change anything. Shipped two poor goals against a faster team. Got into it more second half, fought back then a moment of madness from Mellish which may have far reaching consequences. Let his team down. Feeling pretty gutted. More to come though and some big decisions for Simmo in selection and formation going forwards. Still gotta love this club though (@ReiverPhil)

Routinely having endless stoppages and near double digit stoppage time is turning the game into a bit of a farce. Something has to be done to reverse this trend. Why are the refs so weak? (@ridley_richard)

The first half was awful with not much else to say on it. Second half was a lot better, especially when the subs happened and made a huge impact. Garner's experience really showed. (@DavidJav9954)

Not sure if Simmo started with the best 11. Of course, it's easy in hindsight. However, I would think of starting Alfie next to Owen v Sutton. And, after Mellish's madness, I would start with Robinson. So sad for Jamie D, good luck to him and whatever he plans to do going forward (@BruceVander)