CARLISLE United caretaker Gavin Skelton said it was a day of "ifs, buts and maybes" as their game with fellow League Two strugglers Latics ended in a goalless draw.

It was a fixture that both sides needed to win to claw themselves clear of the bottom two.

And Skelton felt the importance of the fixture impacted on their performance.

"It was edgy, nervy, scrappy, because of where both teams are in the league. It looked like that at times. We just have to find that confidence from somewhere," he said.

"First half (we) threatened at times, second half we thought we’ll potentially go on and win the game, but it was ifs, buts and maybes.

"We had some good opportunities first half, some crosses flashed across the box second half, but haven’t worked their keeper enough to potentially win the game.

"We're disappointed, obviously.

"I don’t think they (Oldham) created too many opportunities in the second half.

"We kept our shape and were compact, but we come back to that belief, for someone to take the bull by the horns and be the matchwinner, bang it in from 20 yards, someone on the front foot to win the game for us."

Carlisle have not recorded a league win since September 4, a run that stretches back eight games and cost previous manager Chris Beech his job. But Skelton was pleased with the response from supporters.

"I must say the crowd were really good," he said

"At times it was scrappy and not pretty, and they’re expecting us at half time to go on and storm the game. They stuck with us. I’m not just saying that. They tried to get behind us and it was a shame we couldn’t give them that lift."

He added: "The players were disappointed but we look at the positives, it’s a clean sheet, two undefeated and we moved up a place. But there’s no hiding, we need to play better and show more belief and confidence to go and win the game."