Paul Simpson said there was no getting away from Carlisle United’s struggling status despite an improved showing at Fleetwood Town.

The Blues slipped to the bottom of League One after the 1-1 draw on Boxing Day.

Simpson declared himself much happier with United’s performance three days after their dire display against Cheltenham Town.

But he said the reality of their fight for survival remained clear, with the Cumbrians now five points below the safety line.

“We can’t ignore it,” he said of the league table.

“We’ve known for weeks we’re in trouble, simple as that.

“We’re just trying to hang in there, to get through to January, when hopefully we’re able to strengthen.

“And by strengthening the group we’ll allow the ones who are here to stand up even more.

“We’re going to keep working to try and do that and hopefully we can get some in the building.”

Carlisle led at Fleetwood through a superb Owen Moxon strike before Jayden Stockley quickly levelled for Lee Johnson’s hosts.

News and Star: Owen Moxon and his team-mates applaud United's fans at FleetwoodOwen Moxon and his team-mates applaud United's fans at Fleetwood (Image: Richard Parkes)

The Blues had the better of the chances after that with Ryan Edmondson twice going close.

Simpson, who handed teenage Cumbrian keeper Gabe Breeze his debut amid five changes, said United simply have to build on the more positive aspects of their showing.

“It was a massive improvement. Although let’s be honest, it didn’t take a lot to improve on Saturday,” said the manager.

“So there was a huge improvement. I was really pleased with how the players went about it.

“Disappointed we didn’t get more than just one point out of it but it’s one more point than we started with, and it’s a level of performance that I’m much happier with and I just think we have to build on it now.”

Simpson was pleased with the way United started the game but frustrated at their inability to prevent Fleetwood responding to Moxon’s stunning opener.

“We’ve come here to a team who’ve been struggling to get goals, and I just think we could have worked harder to stop the cross coming in from our right hand side,” said Simpson of Stockley’s equaliser.

“I don’t think Gabe had a chance with it really. That’s a bit of a disappointment there but certainly the performance has given us something.

“In the second half we created some good chances – when Sean Maguire rolled it back for Edmo, and they’ve defended it off the line, and Edmo when he’s worked the keeper and got a big goal to go and hit and he underhits [his chip] and it goes past the near post.

“We’ve had opportunities. Even Gibbo [sub Jordan Gibson] when he’s pulled his shot wide of the post, I’m just waiting for that to nestle in the far corner but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

“We just have to make sure we build on that performance.”