Carlisle want big run before play-offs - Gilliead

Carlisle United midfielder Alex Gilliead says the team are determined to put together a strong run ahead of their likely participation in the National League play-offs.

The Blues are third with 10 games to go, now 16 points behind leaders Rochdale, after they gave up a two-goal lead to draw at home to Southend United.

Now they go to Aldershot on Tuesday (19:45 GMT), aiming to start the run-in with three points.

"The games come thick and fast, we just have to deal with the next game and the next one," Gilliead told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We just need to be in the best form, the best confidence by winning games and putting together the best run possible we can, going into the end of the season."

Mark Hughes' side are averaging two points per game this season, but have been unable to keep up with the relentless consistency of both Dale and second-placed York City.

Carlisle want to hang on to third so they go straight into a home play-off semi-final in early May to give themselves the best possible chance of regaining their place in the EFL.

"It's an unforgiving league," said Gilliead. "There's a lot of games, a lot of travelling, midweeks most weeks.

"York and Rochdale are very good teams but we pride ourselves on being a good team and we fancy ourselves against anyone."