Gavin Skelton paid tribute to Carlisle United’s fans for sticking with the team throughout another frustrating afternoon.

The Blues’ 0-0 draw with Oldham saw them go eight games without a win in League Two.

It was a second successive draw and took United up a place to 22nd - but their struggles in front of goal went on.

Caretaker manager Skelton admitted Carlisle had not done enough with the opportunities they created as they drew a blank for a fifth game in six.

But he thanked supporters for backing the team in his third game in interim charge.

“We’re disappointed, obviously,” he said of the outcome.

“In the first half we threatened at times, and 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 in the first half, and some crosses flashed across the box in the second half, but we haven’t worked their keeper enough to potentially win the game.

“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.

“I must say the crowd were really good. 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.

“We look at the positives, it’s a clean sheet, two undefeated and we moved up a place, but there’s no hiding from the fact we need to play better and show more belief and confidence to go and win the game.”

Skelton admitted United were fortunate not to go behind late in the first half when Oldham’s Jamie Bowden was given offside when netting a rebound.

Footage showed the Latics man to be clearly onside when the initial shot from David Keillor-Dunn was struck.

“We got away with it,” Skelton said.

United had the better of general play before the break but struggled to make any inroads in the second half.

The second period saw Zach Clough moved from the centre to a left-sided role amid a tactical switch.

Speaking about the change, Skelton said: “We were hoping to get Jon Mellish into the game more and forward more. He’s a goalscorer, and wasn’t getting into the box as much.

“Zach was having less effect in the central areas. On Tuesday [at Newport] he affected the game in wide left areas. That was the reason.

“As the game went on we went to 4-4-2 and wanted to be a little bit direct; they were sat in, and we were starting to play passes at the back, which was fine, but with the nerves and edge, because of the circumstances of both teams, you’re thinking, ‘One mistake, please don’t…’

“We wanted to try and get the ball forward more, have a more physical person up front in [sub] Tristan [Abrahams] and try and play on seconds in the final third.

“A couple of times we had crosses – it’s just that belief and confidence to have that final shot off, or go early to try and slide the ball in the net.”

United moved out of the relegation zone but remain in obvious fourth-tier peril.

The Blues are expected to move closer to a managerial appointment this week, ahead of next Saturday's trip to Northampton, with the club believed to have met shortlisted candidates.

Skelton said he has not been given any indication yet of the club’s plans but hopes to know more soon.

“Whenever it comes, it comes,” the Cumbrian said.

“I was asked to take this game; hopefully I’ll find out something Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, like everyone who’s looking towards it.”