Supporters can help us - Williams

Williams was named man of the match against Leicester at the weekend

Carlisle United goalkeeper Ben Williams says the club's supporters have an important role to play in the Cumbrians' relegation battle.

Carlisle lie just two points off the relegation places in League One with five more games left to play.

Williams told BBC Radio Cumbria: "The players don't like being where we are. None of us want to be in the position we are in.

"The fans can play a massive part for us (if) they get behind the team."

The Cumbrians picked up a valuable point in Saturday's 2-2 draw at leaders Leicester City.

The amount of clean sheets we've kept hasn't been good enough and that's why we are where we are

Ben Williams

Scott Dobie's 90th-minute header earned Carlisle a draw but it was a string of impressive saves from Williams that earned him the man-of-the-match award.

"I think it's important for the fans to get behind the team," he said. "Fans pay good money to watch football and they're more than entitled to their opinion."

"There's been times when some have maybe been a bit sceptical of my abilities and that's fair enough, I'm more than willing to accept that if it's warranted.

"The problem is when it's not warranted, that's when we need the fans behind us."

Williams, who joined the club from Crewe last summer, believes he has finally won over some sections of the Carlisle support after an error-strewn start to his career at Brunton Park.

"It's been tough, I'm not going to lie about it," he said.

"It's not been as straightforward as I thought it would be. But that's all behind me now."

The former Manchester United trainee also believes a better understanding with his back-four has helped his improved form in recent weeks.

"I think we're playing well," he said. "We're all striving for the same thing.

"The amount of clean sheets we've kept hasn't been good enough and that's why we are where we are.

606: DEBATE

A lot of credit has to go to Ben Williams for managing to improve his game no end despite the huge tide of criticism

ForceCrag

"It's something to work on between now and the end of the season. It's important that unit stays together now and we battle through to get the points on the board as soon as possible."

Williams, who has another two years left on his contract, is confident the Cumbrians will be playing in League One next season.

"You have to be," he said. "We're in a good position to get out of it, we've got a good squad.

"No-one is too good to go down but it's up to us to knuckle down and get the points on the board."