Paul Simpson says Carlisle United can end their sudden barren run in front of goal by believing in themselves.

The Blues have gone three league games without scoring – their worst such run since last January.

It is in stark contrast to their exploits for the rest of this season, which still sees United as League Two’s leading scorers.

Their blanks against Harrogate Town, AFC Wimbledon and Mansfield Town have checked their promotion push.

Another failure in front of goal this weekend against Colchester United would be the longest goalless stint in the league since September-October last term.

Simpson believes United have shown enough over the season as a whole to reassure players that they can get back on the goal trail quickly.

“The players have got to have belief in themselves,” said the Blues boss.

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“I said to them on Monday this week after training that we haven't become a bad side. We haven't become a side who can't score goals.

“We've earned the right to get goals. And that's not by luck, when you get that many.”

Carlisle’s tally of 48 from their first 28 games has not been surpassed despite their three blanks since.

Mansfield’s four goals at Brunton Park on Tuesday took them onto the second-best total in the division with 47.

United, until recent weeks, have impressed with their creative and finishing efforts – something they must now get back to.

“On Saturday [the 0-0 draw at Wimbledon], we created some decent chances, but we didn't get the finish,” said Simpson.

“[On Tuesday in the 4-0 defeat to Mansfield] we created chances…I can't say they were real great chances, the best was probably Jon Mellish's chance just before half-time where he took it onto his right foot [and saw his shot saved].

“If he stayed on his left, he's probably got a better chance of finishing.

“We had half chances in the second half, but it just didn't drop for us, whereas maybe in other weeks things have dropped for us when we've had a little stroke of luck.

“In the last three games it hasn't. And I am one of those who believes that if you keep doing the right things, it will turn for us and we've just got to keep doing the right things.”

United last went four league games without scoring last season when they came up short against Sutton United, Forest Green Rovers and Bristol Rovers in Chris Beech’s last three games, followed by Gavin Skelton’s first caretaker match against Tranmere Rovers.

Carlisle’s challenge against Colchester is also to try and re-establish the gap they had created between themselves and the chasing pack.

They remain third on goal difference, though fourth-placed Northampton Town have a game in hand.

The gap has shrunk in terms of the play-off places too, with United now only four points above eighth place.

The clubs in fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth – Northampton, Mansfield, Stockport County, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers – all have at least one game in hand on Simpson’s side.

Most are now in better recent form than the Cumbrians – while 16th-placed Colchester are unbeaten in five, have lost one in nine and have won their last five away games.