Carlisle United have missed out on the chance to strengthen their survival hopes as they were held to a goalless draw away at Crawley Town in League One this evening, leaving Graham Kavanagh's side staring down the barrel at relegation.

Crawley nearly took the lead in the opening stages when Matt Tubbs fired off an effort that was saved by Jordan Pickford at the bottom right corner after 15 minutes.

Pickford was on hand minutes later as he pulled off a smart stop to deny Tubbs again, with the striker seeking to convert into the same corner.

David Symington tried to give the visitors a vital goal to help stave off relegation, but he couldn't produce the required skill as he fired a volley over the bar from outside the box.

Tubbs should have given Crawley the lead just before the break, but he was wasteful again having flashed wide with the goal gaping.

Carlisle's Liam Noble had a go from distance after the break as the away side looked for the lead, yet the Town keeper was in a good position to get down and save the ball at his left corner.

The visitors found it tough going to create any clear-cut chances in the second period, with Brad Potts showing his frustration with a tame effort from distance, which was comfortably held by Paul Jones in the Crawley goal.

Town's Jamie Proctor could have compounded Carlisle's misery late on with a winning goal, but he was denied by Pickford at the bottom corner in the closing seconds.