Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson on the defeat to Blackpool

Simpson maintained there was no shortage of effort from his players but conceded they did not measure up to their opponents.

The 3-0 defeat reinforced Carlisle’s position in the relegation dogfight and left the Blues increasingly in need of major January reinforcements.

Simpson – who has hit out at some of the abuse he said he received from fans after the game – said the game at Bloomfield Road highlighted the situation.

“There was an absolute gulf,” he said.

“These [Blackpool] are very close to a Championship side, we’re probably just above a League Two side, that’s the reality of the situation.

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“Again, people might not like me saying that but that’s where we are, and everybody’s got to stand up [and face it].”

United’s goal had come under little threat until the 22nd minute, when keeper Tomas Holy failed to deal with a cross and was chipped by Andy Lyons.

Two second-half Jordan Rhodes goals wrapped up the points for the hosts with United, who remained third-bottom of League One, offering very little as an attacking threat until it was too late.

On the avoidable opener, manager Simpson said he felt Sam Lavelle was fouled in the build-up but also admitted: “It was a mistake, simple as that.

“Whether the mistake came because [Holy] bumped into [someone in the box] I don’t know, but I think he’s got to be stronger.

“We don’t need that, simple as that.

“I don’t think Tomas has had another save to make in the first half, I don’t think they had another shot on target.

United players applaud the travelling fans after the game at Blackpool (Image: Richard Parkes)

“We started the second half ok, we showed a bit of life about us, we had an opportunity when the linesman flags right in front of us where Sean Maguire could have been through on goal…I’m not saying he’s going to score but it’s an opportunity.

“We had another opportunity where Alfie McCalmont puts it over the bar, when he’s probably under a little bit of pressure, but they’re little half-chances.

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“The overall performance wasn’t good enough against a side who were far better than us, it’s as simple as that.”

Simpson said United were not beaten through a lack of preparation about their opponents.

“I don’t think it’s through a lack of effort or trying, or thought going into it,” he added.

“Everything Blackpool did, we talked about with the players over the whole week.

“Because we didn’t have a game last weekend, there wasn’t anything to review, so this week has been all about Blackpool and what we expected them to do, and they did it – they hit diagonal balls up to Jake Beesley and we didn’t win enough of the first or second balls, they put straight balls over the top for CJ Hamilton to get in, and we dealt with it very well until the third goal which is where it comes from.

“We talked about being clinical in both boxes and we haven’t done that.

“So all of the things we expected is what happened. Preparation was there – unfortunately we haven’t been able to execute it.”

Simpson accepted it was a case for Carlisle of getting to January, at which point they will attempt to make major changes to the squad.

“That’s always been the case I’m afraid. We’re short, I knew we were short,” he added.

“We did what we could but we are short. We have to get through to January and everybody has got to react in the right way.

“We’ve got two home games coming up that we have to do properly. We have to try and pick up as many points as we can between now and January.

“If that frightens the players who are here because they might lose their place, then they’re going to have to deal with that.”