Carlisle United Football Club

Mark Ellis on the play-off push and the trip to Portsmouth

We spoke to defender Mark Ellis on Thursday morning ahead of the trip to Portsmouth.

"We're on a good unbeaten run but I think we're all disappointed we haven't had a few more wins," he told us. "Performances have been there, we just haven't managed to score when we've wanted.

"It is frustrating as a player and as a group, we've just got to keep going and see what can happen. The win against Bristol Rovers was massive, and we've got another big game this weekend. It was vital we got the result on Monday because it keeps us in touch with the top seven.

"The play-offs are still alive and I think it will remain that way until the last game of the season. We'll keep going for it unless it's mathematically impossible. We've got a good group of players which was one of the reasons I signed here."

"When I look at the team we had at Shrewsbury last year compared to this one, I think we've got more talent in this dressing room," he said. "That was a massive part of me coming here because I think we can get promoted."

"Drawing so many games has been frustrating but you've just got to keep going," he continued. "As long as we can stop the goals going in we know we've got the players to kill teams off. It's vital that we stop teams from scoring.

"Myself and Raynesy [Michael Raynes] worked well together straight away. I think it's important as a defensive pair we know each others role and what each other is good at. We're always communicating with each other and organising the lads around us which is important as a back two because we can see everything in front of us.

"When we concede a goal like we did on Monday we don't criticise each other, someone else could make a mistake in the next game. Raynesy knew what he'd done as soon as it happened on Monday, so he doesn't need me to tell him It was the same for me when I dived in against Leyton Orient and gave a goal away.

"It happens, but if we want to get promoted we need to cut out those little mistakes, we can't dwell on the negatives. As long as we're winning games, that's the main thing."

Ahead of the long trip to Portsmouth, he said: "Portsmouth always have a good crowd so it will be a great atmosphere. We won down there with Shrewsbury last year, you've got to be well organised and they're a team you've got to get after.

"I settled here as soon as I came on loan, I'm enjoying it and I'm looking forward to what's ahead. I've been used to doing a lot of travelling, I think that's part and parcel of it, so all of the lads will be looking forward to the trip to Portsmouth."