Mike Williamson offered an apology to supporters and admitted Carlisle United’s showing at AFC Wimbledon was “unacceptable”.

The Blues plummeted to the bottom of League Two after being thrashed 4-0 in south London.

United’s first half performance in particular was atrocious and the Cumbrians find themselves in a battle for their EFL lives.

“It was a completely unacceptable performance and we’re going to do everything we can to change it,” said Williamson.

“We apologise, take responsibility for it.”

Carlisle were 3-0 down at the break thanks to two Matty Stevens goals and a Cameron Harper own-goal. Stevens then completed his hat-trick early in the second half.

It was the Blues’ heaviest defeat of the campaign so far, leaving them bottom of the table on goal difference after fellow strugglers Morecambe and Accrington Stanley both won.

Williamson said he took “full responsibility” for the showing and stressed his determination to turn things around with a “fragile” group.

“The feeling that the boys have got right now, is rock bottom. And obviously that's where we find ourselves in the league.

“But it's not a time to feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to take full responsibility, and that's what this group are doing. That's what I will do, we as coaches.

“And that's the only way we can turn this around and get back to work and make sure that we right the wrongs next week for those supporters.”

United's hopes of a positive afternoon in south London were soon washed awayUnited's hopes of a positive afternoon in south London were soon washed away (Image: Richard Parkes)

Williamson said there was a weakness in how United reacted to going behind to Johnnie Jackson’s side.

“We’ve come to a club that is in a good period and they haven't had a game [at home] for a long time, so they were on the front foot. And we're in a very vulnerable position and we don't deal well with setbacks,” he said.

“We need to be better at that. It’s about accepting where we are, we’re not going to dwell on it, we're going to get to work and make sure that we start focusing on what is going to get us out of this.”

Wimbledon were all over United in a first half where Carlisle failed to make any attacking impression on the game.

“It was the fact that we just looked very vulnerable,” added head coach Williamson.

“We were reacting all over the pitch. We weren't on the front foot. We weren't anticipating. We didn't have the confidence. Obviously, the position we are in shows that.

“And we were punished by a good team. But we were so far off that we've got to make sure that doesn't happen again.

“When you come into every single football game, it doesn't matter who you are or how good your players are, you've got to win the battle, you've got to earn the right before you can start playing any good football.

“That was where, from the first whistle, we didn't show that, and that's what was disappointing because we didn't win enough first contacts.

“I thought their [Wimbledon’s] dark arts, their manipulation was far, far greater and we were vulnerable, we were naive and we accept that.”

It was United’s heaviest away defeat since last November’s 5-1 loss at Reading in League One.

Williamson, though, also stressed his belief that there is enough in the squad to improve United’s situation.

“The personalities, the characters that we've got and the quality we've got, that gives me the confidence and gives me every belief that we can get out of this,” he added.