By Jon Colman

Last updated 12:54, Monday, 06 October 2008

Under-fire Carlisle United boss John Ward today admitted he is facing the biggest challenge of his Blues reign to turn the season around after Saturday’s shocker against Tranmere.

Pensive: John Ward looks on as United go down 2-1 to Tranmere at Brunton Park on Saturday

The Cumbrians’ woeful display saw them lose 2-1 at Brunton Park – their fourth straight defeat which sent them tumbling to 11th in League One.

It was the first time for three years that United have suffered such a losing sequence and manager Ward is coming under mounting criticism from fans after exactly a year in charge.

Asked if stopping the current decline represents his toughest test as Brunton Park boss, he said: “Absolutely.

“I like being in the top six, up there with teams like Leeds and trying to compete with our club and resources. But a bit of reality has set in now.

“We’re not up there, we’re not with them, and we’ve got to get ourselves back round it and compete better than we have done in the last two games.

“I don’t like getting beat when we’ve gone down without a bit of dignity. We’ve got to regain a bit of pride. On a lousy day in Carlisle we needed to lift spirits, and we didn’t do it.”

Ian Moore fired Tranmere in front after just 52 seconds on Saturday, in front of 6,093 fans. Ryan Shotton doubled their lead eight minutes from time after a mistake from home ‘keeper Ben Williams, before sub Danny Graham tapped in an injury-time consolation.

In another blow to Ward, captain Paul Thirlwell is now banned for one match after receiving his fifth booking of the season.

Wholesale changes are now likely for tomorrow’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round tie at Rochdale with Luke Joyce set to start along with Michael Bridges and Jennison Myrie-Williams, who Ward controversially left on the bench on Saturday.

“I’m tempted to do certain things, but I won’t rush into it,” said the manager.

“I’m learning a lot more about that group and the people close to me than I have done in the last 12 months. Everyone has patted us on the back for 12 months and now they’re not.

“I back these players. I inherited some and brought some in, and I’m fine with them. This is my first look at them during a tough period and those kids are feeling the pinch at the moment.”

Ward blamed “softness and mistakes” for United shipping two goals for the fourth straight game, describing Williams’ error as a “howler”. “We’ve defended poorly as a group all the way through,” he said. “People aren’t doing their jobs as we know they can.

“In football terms, it was pretty disastrous for us. I still can’t get the selection and the subs right in some people’s eyes. You make three and that’s still wrong. But that’s life – I’ve got to make the decisions and stand by them.”

• United youth team’s 4-1 win at Morecambe was marred by a red card for winger Connor Tinnion.

Andy Cook, Jonny Blake, Matt Duffy and Liam Davison were on target for the young Blues in a stormy clash.