The unwanted stats are mounting now as Keith Millen’s vow to never mention the ‘R’ word is proving difficult to maintain.
Last night’s 2-0 home defeat by Harrogate Town means they now have the longest winless run in the whole of the EFL.
Another home game without a goal equalled a club record of five straight matches at Brunton Park and no goal scored.
Whatever the new manager might feel about relegation, and he can hardly be blamed for trying to put a more positive feel into his team, their position is precarious.
They are joint bottom – a better goal difference than Scunthorpe keeps them 23rd – two points behind Oldham and now five points behind Stevenage who are fourth bottom.
Walsall will visit Brunton Park on Saturday, some 12 places and 11 points better off from the 18 games played, and buoyant after a 1-0 win at play-off positioned Port Vale.
January can’t come soon enough for Millen, and the chance to explore the transfer market but with six more League games before January 1 too much damage is still possible.
Carlisle United equalled an unwanted club record as they went five straight home league games without scoring as relegation fear grew.
Not for the first time the United supporters turned their frustrations on the directors and before the end there were chants of “sack the board” from the Warwick Road End.
A crowd of only 3,172 also showed that patience is running thin among fans as many preferred the comfort of an armchair and Champions League on the tele.
After Mark Howard had made an early routine save to take a weak shot from George Thomson, it was United who almost grabbed the lead on nine minutes.
A Zack Clough cross was headed against the post by Aston Villa loanee Brad Young with the keeper beaten.
There was some pretty passing from Carlisle but there was a distinct lack of craft and penetration and the Harrogate defence was not troubled.
Jordan Gibson decided to try his luck from range and a low 30-yarder skimmed just past the post.
Harrogate came more into the game as the half developed and they ended the first 45 minutes on top – and in front.
Full-back Brennan Dickenson should have intercepted a through ball and Thomson went on to drive a low shot across Howard into the bottom corner.
There was a great chance for United to level just after the resumption when good work by Callum Guy put Young in on goal but he drilled his shot the wrong side of the upright.
Clough worked an opening, showing exceptional footwork, but the finish didn’t match it as he shot wide.
Harrogate seemed content to sit back and soak up what Carlisle could offer, which wasn’t a lot even though forwards Sam Fishburn and Manasse Mampala were brought on for the last 20 minutes.
Mampala had claims for a penalty as he challenged for a cross and Clough did find a shot but keeper Mark Oxley made a comfortable save.
On 78 minutes it was all over as Harrogate broke out and scored a second, clinching goal. Howard couldn’t hold a shot from Thomson and Alex Pattison swooped to hammer home the loose ball.
It could have been worse for right at the death Luke Armstrong almost added a third for the visitors.
