Carlisle United’s decision to close a section of the Paddock terrace over alleged fan incidents has seen a backlash from some supporters.

But the club’s fans’ trust say they support the decision “with a heavy heart”.

United announced on Thursday that an area directly behind the dugouts on the popular terrace would be cordoned off for the foreseeable future.

It followed, they said, incidents at recent games, with last month’s 3-2 defeat to Leyton Orient one of the matches under scrutiny.

A Football Association investigation is still ongoing and further details are yet to emerge.

But despite the outcome of the investigation yet to be confirmed, United said they were responding to a requirement from football’s authorities to take action.

The decision to shut part of the Paddock - starting at this Saturday's FA Cup first round tie against Tranmere Rovers - has been heavily criticised by a number of fans online.

Some supporters have described it as an overreaction, with others questioning the evidence behind the move.

READ MORE: Carlisle United to close section of the Paddock at Brunton Park after fan 'incidents'

The News & Star invited fans’ trust CUOSC to comment on their position on the decision.

And they released a statement on Thursday evening where they said fan groups were “asked to support” the club’s move.

CUOSC later amended part of the statement, which had originally appeared to suggest that the measures were only in place "whilst the investigation was ongoing". An updated comment from the trust removed that line.

Their latest statement said: “Firstly, CUOSC want to say thank you to the fans who have given the club fantastic backing this season both home and away.

“However, supporters groups have been asked to support the club’s decision to cordon off a section of the Paddock, behind the dug-outs. The club are investigating an alleged coin throwing incident during the Leyton Orient home match.

“We know closing this area affects many fans that have done absolutely nothing wrong but with a heavy heart have agreed.

"We recognise 99.9 per cent of fans behave superbly and their match day is now being disrupted through no fault of their own. We apologise.

“We hope that the club’s investigation is resolved as soon as possible in order for things to return to normal. Coin-throwing cannot be tolerated and CUOSC condemns this sort of behaviour in the strongest terms.”

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens claimed after his side’s 3-2 victory at Brunton Park on October 22 that coins had been thrown at him and that he had come in for “vile abuse” from some home fans.

It is not yet known if the investigation has established clear evidence to support the coin-throwing allegation.

Numerous fans on Twitter and Facebook have hit out at Carlisle’s decision to close a section of the terrace without such evidence being in the public domain.

United, in their statement, said the actions of a “small minority” of fans risked having serious consequences that affected everyone.

“The football authorities require that we take action and, as a community club, we therefore must address this,” said chief executive Nigel Clibbens,

“This decision has not been taken lightly. We discussed behaviour issues at length with representatives of CUSG [supporters’ groups] this week.

We understand that some fans may well have stood in that area for many years. It is also true that it is the tiny minority and their actions that affect the majority, and fans who are unconnected to this behaviour are subsequently affected.

“We are sorry it has come to this but behaviour matters. The club must act responsibly and now take action. 

“We hope fans will respond and that this marks a line, and we get back to our high standards.”

The News & Star invited the Football Association to comment, but the organisation has not yet made any comment at a time the investigation is said still to be live.

Several fans on Twitter described the Blues’ move as a “huge overreaction”, while a number have contacted the News & Star to object to the decision.