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Carlisle boss Paul Simpson called his side's performance in their 2-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the EFL Trophy "unacceptable".

The Cumbrians, who recorded a surprise 3-1 win at Bolton in League One on Saturday, have now lost both of their games in the EFL Trophy this season.

"I take absolutely nothing positive from it," he told ���˿��� Radio Cumbria.

"I was hoping to continue that momentum from Saturday tonight and it's been an absolute sickener."

He added: "I came into tonight's game with so much enthusiasm after Saturday's game from the performance of the players and the attitude of the supporters.

"I'm a bit stunned at how bad we've been and I can only thank the supporters who did turn up tonight and I wish the performance could have been better for them.

"It's probably our worst performance as a group since I came back to the club."

Simpson returned to Brunton Park for a second spell in February 2022 and led them to promotion to League One last season.

They have endured a slow start to the campaign but Saturday's victory at promotion-chasing Bolton moved them three points clear of the bottom four.

Fellow promoted side Leyton Orient are their visitors on Saturday and Simpson admitted that he would have to include players in his matchday squad who "don't deserve to be there".

"Some of the performances... they looked like it was a real chore to have to play a game of football. It was so below what we expect. It was unacceptable," he said.

"The fringe players haven't done themselves any favours, it's as simple as that. I'll be really honest, if I was choosing players on merit we wouldn't be able to fill the bench this weekend.

"There will be players on the bench on Saturday who probably don't deserve to be there."