Paul Simpson has stressed Carlisle United’s promotion fate is still in their own hands.
The Blues’ challenge suffered a blow on Saturday when they were knocked out of the automatic places.
But with eight games to go – and rivals still to face – manager Simpson says United can still decide their destiny.
“The truth is it’s not out of our hands because Northampton have to come to us,” said the Blues boss.
“We have enough games. There’s eight to go. There’s going to be loads of twists and turns.”
United’s last-gasp defeat at Gillingham saw them drop to fourth in League Two, a point outside the top three.
It came on a day all the top three at the start of the day failed to win, with Leyton Orient drawing and Stevenage losing.
The 1-0 reverse at Priestfield was the Blues’ first defeat in seven but they have also now failed to score in three games.
United are now preparing for this weekend’s showdown with leaders Leyton Orient in London.
It comes on a weekend when teams in the top six have games against each other, with second-placed Northampton Town hosting third-placed Stevenage on Saturday, and fifth-placed Stockport County at home to sixth-placed Salford City on Friday night.
Simpson highlighted League Two’s ability to throw up unexpected results – but said none of that matters unless Carlisle look after their own business.
“Salford beating Stevenage [on Saturday] is a twist people probably didn’t expect,” he said.
“But I’m a really big believer that if you do your own job properly, everything else gets taken care of.
“We didn’t do our job properly on Saturday, end of story.”
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