Cheltenham Town boss Darrell Clarke has told his survival-chasing side to “stand up and be counted” against relegated Carlisle United tonight.

While the Blues’ return to League Two has already been sealed, this evening’s hosts are still fighting to get out of trouble.

The third-bottom Robins are two points adrift of the safety line as they prepare to face Paul Simpson’s United at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Clarke says Cheltenham will fight to the very end but admits there can be no downplaying the importance of games like tonight’s.

“We have to take opportunities, as I keep saying to the boys,” said Clarke.

“We are running out of games – if we don't take the opportunities to pick up the three points, we run out of games, so we have to stand up and be counted for that and try our best to pick up the three points come [tonight].”

Cheltenham’s survival hopes have been hit by back-to-back defeats, including Saturday’s 3-1 reverse at Leyton Orient.

But Clarke, who replaced Wade Elliott at the helm early in the campaign, has still given them a fighting chance, and they have at least one game in hand on all the other teams in the relegation battle.

The Robins manager preferred to focus on his own team when asked by GloucestershireLive whether United having now been relegated has any bearing on tonight’s contest.

News and Star: Cheltenham won 1-0 at Brunton Park in December and are two points from the safety line in League OneCheltenham won 1-0 at Brunton Park in December and are two points from the safety line in League One (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“We have to focus on us and bringing a performance for 90 minutes, the whole game,” he added.

“I am sure the crowd will get behind us and we need a reaction from [Saturday], which was disappointing. I am sure I'll get it.

“We won't be giving in. We are still in this race and we kept going until the end. I believe there is enough in there to keep us in this division.

“Not on [Saturday’s] showing, but I am starting to see bits and pieces in the group and I'll make sure I get the right answers for the team moving forward, in these last six games.”