Keith Curle admits Carlisle United’s big cup clash with Everton was on his players’ minds during the York stalemate.

The Blues boss says it would only be natural if the prospect of Sunday’s major FA Cup encounter had an effect on his team. 

Curle does not believe the televised Toffees’ tie caused his players to deliberately take their feet off the pedal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw back at Brunton Park.

But the Blues boss said: “I think it’s the natural mindset of any player – if you’ve got a massive game coming up on TV at Brunton Park, a full house, will it have been playing on their minds? 

“I don’t think they’d be competitive sportsmen if it wasn’t. “Was it a detriment? Not intentionally.” 

A crowd of 7,461 watched the Blues’ emotional return to their home ground just 49 days after the Storm Desmond floods, with Curle saying a “fantastic” atmosphere was created by United’s supporters. 

They saw Jason Kennedy fire United in front before Luke Summerfield levelled for bottom side York three minutes from time. 

The frustrating finish saw Carlisle remain 10th in League Two. 

The manager insisted Carlisle had prepared well for the game, despite missing key chances and then conceding a late goal for the third time in five games - but did claim their build-up had been affected by a mishap on the way back from their midweek cup win at Yeovil. 

Curle said: “The lads not getting back until 7am on Wednesday has an impact. “We had another driver come on board, but his hours were messed up, so the players were sat on the side of a motorway for an extra 45 minutes – that’s all added time we don’t need. 

“Apart from that, we planned and prepped the players as best we can. We don’t like conceding goals in the first five minutes or the last five, but we will address it. 

“We’re not far from seeing games out, and we’re still a goal threat. We’ve got the pieces of the jigsaw – we just needed to put them consistently together. 

“I still believe somebody’s going to get turned over by three or four very soon.” 

While Curle felt York skipper Russell Penn was “lucky” not to be sent off, his own captain Danny Grainger missed Saturday’s game and is a doubt for the Everton clash. 

Curle said: “We have had to leave the ankle injury 72 hours to completely settle down, then it’s going to be scanned and we’ll get a proper diagnosis. 

“Danny’s a quick healer, looks after himself in the right way and he’ll make sure he does everything to be fit and available.” 

Bastien Hery was substituted late in Saturday’s game but Curle said the midfielder was only suffering from cramp. 

The Blues boss declined to bring on new loanee Brandon Comley on Saturday, saying: “I thought about it when Bastien came off, but I think we needed a bit more experience from Antony Sweeney, and he’s probably more of a forward-thinking player than a dogged player in midfield.” 

Curle is continuing to chase transfer targets but his January pursuit of Bradford’s Gary Liddle – who started for the Bantams against Port Vale – appears to be over. 

“I had a conversation with Gary Liddle’s agent and he’s been told by the manager that he’s still got a part to play at Bradford,” Curle said.