Ward sacked by Carlisle

Carlisle have parted company with boss John Ward by mutual consent following a wretched run of form.

Ward guided the club to an impressive start to the season with an unbeaten run of five matches but that was followed by a dismal run of 10 games without a win in League One - including nine defeats - which has left them 20th.

A statement on the club's official website, www.carlisleunited.co.uk read: "The club thank John for his service over the last 13 months but after suffering 10 defeats and a draw in our last 11 games - a run which has seen us slide from second to 20th in the League One table - we agreed the time had come for us to go our separate ways.

"Assistant manager Greg Abbott has immediately been appointed caretaker manager with the full backing of everyone at the club.

"Greg had been hugely disappointed not to get the manager's job here on a full-time basis last season after having been caretaker manager following Neil McDonald's departure until John Ward's appointment. That was despite having won five and drawn two of his 10 games in charge.

"We would ask all Carlisle United fans to give their full backing to Greg and the squad, starting with Saturday's FA Cup first-round tie at home to Grays Athletic."