JOSH Carson has warned his York City team-mates to expect a sterner challenge from Carlisle United than when they rolled the Cumbrians over 3-0 back in December.

The former Northern Ireland international opened the scoring during that straight-forward victory at Brunton Park but, with just ten fixtures left to play for both relegation-threatened clubs after tomorrow's clash, Carson believes Keith Curle's men will be no pushovers this time around.

Only goal difference separates City and Carlisle in the Sky Bet League Two standings, with the teams sitting fifth-bottom and fourth-bottom respectively and, with the stakes high, Carson insisted: "This game will be a lot different to the one at their place.

"They've got a lot of play for and so have we. I think they'll come out of the traps quite quickly and try and catch us on the back foot, so we've got to make sure we give them no encouragement.

"At home, we will have the support behind us. The fans will cheer us on as they always do and, hopefully, we can reward them with three points."

Having been sidelined, himself, along with Wes Fletcher at this stage last season, meanwhile, Carson has expressed his sympathy for the seven-goal striker after lightning struck twice following the hamstring injury he suffered last weekend at Wimbledon that could signal the end of his season.

But the 21-year-old winger also feels that the likes of Jake Hyde, Emile Sinclair and Diego De Girolamo can compensate for Fletcher's absence.

"It's especially hard when you pick up an injury at this stage of the season and Wes will be out for six weeks," Carson said. "That's hard for the team and for him to take because he was showing good form again and starting to score regularly.

"He's a big loss but we've got three very good strikers who can find the net and create a lot of pressure, so hopefully we won't miss Wes too much and they can show that we don't rely on him too much for goals. Jake as shown he can score a few, Emile also creates and gets chances and it's great to have Diego back."

With recent experience of hitting the target against tomorrow's visitors and, having gone close twice to netting at Wimbledon before Hyde claimed a scrambled equaliser in the 2-1 defeat, Carson believes he can add to City's firepower during a crucial run-in.

He said: "I've always seen myself as a bit of a goalscorer since I was younger. I create chances as well but, hopefully, I can bring one or two to the table and help the lads get the goals to help us climb the table."

Carson revealed, meanwhile, that the team have now recovered from the decisive last-minute goal they let in at Wimbledon.

City have thrown away nine points this season by conceding in games from the 88th-minute mark and onwards with Carson admitting: "It's very hard to take when you look back at some of the results we might have had if we hadn't conceded late goals and we've got to kill games off really.

"Sunday and Monday was spent getting our heads around that again but, after that, we were looking forward to the next game."

Carson went on to stress the importance of making home advantage count as City play host to Carlisle and Bury at Bootham Crescent in the space of four days.

"If we win the two games that will get everyone behind us and it will make a big difference for the rest of the season, especially if the teams below us drop points," he explained.