Ward led Cheltenham to promotion through the play-offs in 2006

Carlisle United boss John Ward believes the pressure is no longer on their shoulders going into the final league game of the season against Bournemouth.

The Cumbrians are still in the hunt for automatic promotion, but with a play-off place secure Ward is confident his side can perform without pressure.

"It's an outside chance we've got so maybe that will relax us and push us on a little," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"Hopefully the supporters will come along and get behind the team."

Battling for promotion has been a welcome change for the former Cheltenham boss, who found himself tangling at the other end of the table at his previous club.

"I celebrated survival with my staff and players at Cheltenham and I've not had a lot of that," he said.

"When I sat back and thought about it, it felt a bit false but then it meant a lot to the club so I realised it wasn't as false.

"Being at the top of the league is where I want to be, I want to be involved in things that are good and this has been very good here, and I want it to be better."