Ward's side are without a win in the last four games

Carlisle United boss John Ward has admitted some of his players are suffering from emotional fatigue as the season draws to a dramatic climax.

The Cumbrians' promotion fight took a turn for the worse with the 3-0 loss at Millwall on Saturday and Ward is wary of burnout within his squad.

"There's a shortage of energy you need at this stage and a few are running on empty," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It's not effort or fitness, but we just don't have that zip about us."

League One strugglers Bournemouth are up next in the final game of the regular season, and Ward would love to see his side bounce back and clinch the final automatic promotion place.

"I shall work very hard to motivate these players. It's a huge disappointment but we've got to get over it very quickly," he said.

"We've got to flood the place next Saturday, work very hard and see what we can achieve."