Carlisle United's Paul Simpson reacts to Bristol Rovers loss

The Blues’ 1-0 setback saw them go three points adrift in the League One relegation zone.

United’s shortcomings in attack were on show again as Sam Lavelle’s own-goal cost them against the Pirates.

Simpson said the third-bottom Cumbrians lacked “desire” when it counted to turn crosses and chances into goals.

“It’s the same old thing I’m going to talk about – we’ve lacked that quality in the final third and the real desire to score goals,” said Simpson.

• Jon Colman's big match verdict on Carlisle's defeat to Bristol Rovers

“We’ve had 23 crosses, ten corners, six free-kicks, five long throw-ins…that’s a lot of balls being put in the box and we haven’t got on the end of it, we haven’t won first contacts enough, we haven’t had the desire to get on the end of things.

“That’s what we’ve got to change. We have to get back to players having desire and an expectation to score rather than sitting waiting for something to happen.”

Simpson also referred to United’s mounting injury problems when he added: “Let’s not shy away from it – we’re in trouble, the way things are going. Players are dropping like flies and we need to dig deep.”

United failed to score for the 12th time in 21 games in all competitions against caretaker Andy Mangan’s visitors.

It amounted to another highly frustrating afternoon which also saw returning captain Paul Huntington limp off with another calf injury.

Paul Simpson applauds the fans after the game (Image: Ben Holmes)

While Lavelle’s own-goal, as he diverted Jack Hunt’s delivery over Tomas Holy, put United behind, Simpson continued to focus on the other end of the pitch.

“On those type of entries into the final third that we had, we should be getting some level of success,” said the manager.

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“But you have to be getting people wanting to get on the end of it. I know they’ll all say they want to get on the end but you have to do it with actions, with running, and we haven’t done that – and that’s a huge disappointment.

“It absolutely tells the story [of the season]. We’ve had six 1-0 defeats in the league, and two in cups.

“It’s that old thing – so close yet so far. We have to change it. Nobody’s going to help us, we have to help ourselves, that’s where my head is.”

While Simpson is continuing his efforts to bolster the squad with free agents ahead of the January transfer window, he reiterated his belief that his current squad is capable of better.

Asked if Carlisle’s shortcomings came down to “desire”, or whether it was the case they were not good enough at present, he added: “The results at the moment are showing we’re not good enough at this moment in time.

“I still think the players we’ve got are better than the results are showing. I hope I’m not being deluded in thinking that but I do actually believe it.

“We have worked this week on crossing, finishing, getting players in the final third, dealing with all those sorts of things.

“And we’ve done it but it hasn’t come out on the pitch.

“It’s a huge disappointment when you do have a week where you’re working on that type of thing and don’t see the rewards come on Saturday.”