Carlisle boss John Ward has played down his side's chances of overhauling Swansea in the League One title race as the season reaches a climax.An 11-game unbeaten streak has hoisted the Cumbrians to within five points of the league leaders with a game in hand.

But Ward, whose in-form side travel to struggling Gillingham this weekend, is just focussed on securing a play-off place first before setting his sights on automatic promotion and possibly a title tilt.

"We are looking at it in stages," Ward said. "We went to cement a play-off place and if there's other places to go for we'll take it on from there.

"I've not talked to anybody about winning the league and I don't think that's necessary. I've got eight games to play yet. We're chasing Swansea because they are above us and we use that as an incentive as there's still a team better than us. I think Swansea will take come catching by anybody so that's going to be difficult."

Reflecting on the scramble for promotion, Ward added: "I think a couple of wins might secure a play-off place because of the gap between us and seventh place. And I think the top two places will go right down to the end of the season."

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