Mansfield manager John Dempster has warned his side they will need to be at their best to get a result at Carlisle United.

Dempster’s men were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, losing 6-5 on penalties to Morecambe after a 2-2 draw.

It was the third time Town have conceded twice this term, having taken two points from their first two league fixtures in 2-2 draws - against Morecambe and Newport.

Dempster says Blues boss Steven Pressley, a former Scotland defender, was always someone he respected in his own playing days. 

“Carlisle are in good form and had an excellent result against Barnsley during the week," he told The Mansfield and Ashfield Chad.

“Steven Pressley has changed quite a lot there. He was a player I admired and he is now on his journey in management.

"He has changed the way Carlisle play and [changed] personnel from last season.

“So, we know that going there will be a very tough challenge – it always is when you go to Carlisle. But, in the form they are in, we need to be at our very best to go there and get anything.”

Jacob Mellis and Matt Preston will be suspended for Mansfield, but ex-United loanee Hayden White could feature after recovering from injury.

Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell, meanwhile, yesterday left his role as Macclesfield manager.