Mike Williamson says Carlisle United cannot afford to switch off for a second against a “direct” and dangerous Bromley side.

The first ever league meeting between the Blues and the Ravens comes this weekend at a key stage in United’s bid to climb away from League Two trouble.

The trip to Hayes Lane on Saturday sees second-bottom United seeking a win that could take them out of the relegation zone – and move to within a point of Andy Woodman’s 19th-placed hosts.

Carlisle are buoyed by back-to-back wins in league and cup but head coach Williamson warned it will be a demanding encounter against the EFL new boys.

“They had a fantastic season last year, I know Woody well, and they've got a style of play that consistently asks questions of you,” said the United boss.

“You've got to stand up to that and you can’t switch off for a second.

 “I expect them to be direct, to be organised. They know how to win games and they've got players that can hurt you all over whenever there's going to be a set-piece coming in our box.

“They're going to be on the front foot, so we know it's going to be difficult. They've got intelligent players that can manufacture things out of nothing. So, we've got to make sure that we stay organised, make sure we keep them away from our goal.

“We know how hard it's going to be, but we've just got to focus on ourselves and keep building off the performances that we've had.”

Bromley, after winning last season’s National League play-offs, made a positive start to life in League Two but a winless spell saw them slip down the table.

Former Carlisle players Byron Webster and Olufela Olomola are in the Bromley ranksFormer Carlisle players Byron Webster and Olufela Olomola are in the Bromley ranks (Image: PA)

They have, though, picked up results in their last three league games. At home they have won one, drawn three and lost three, with their squad including the former Carlisle pair of Byron Webster and Olufela Olomola. Carlisle are taking a sell-out 515 away following to the 5,000 capacity ground.

Williamson encountered the south east London side during his time as Gateshead boss, and said of this weekend’s venue: “Well, I'm happy that it's not 4G [any more], as that was always a difficult obstacle to tackle, but it is what it is.

“It [the ground] is tight and the atmosphere is good. The manager gets them fighting, gets them going, makes it a really tough afternoon.

“We've got to make sure that we are very, very cute in our defending all over the pitch and we can't have anyone that switches off set-pieces and their style of play.

“It's hard to play against, but again, we've just got to build and focus on ourselves.”

Williamson has selection decisions to make with defender Terell Thomas away on international duty and midfielder Harrison Neal suspended along with Ethan Robson, who is also injured.

Last weekend's matchwinner Ben Barclay is a strong contender to replace Thomas at the back, with Jon Mellish reverting to centre-back another option.

Harrison Biggins could replace Neal in midfield while Kadeem Harris could be an option from the start, with fit-again left wing-back Ben Williams also back available.