Carlisle United Football Club

“Overall I thought we gave a very solid and professional performance and we looked dangerous by creating some very good opportunities,” he said. “There’s a level of frustration that comes when you haven’t won the game after doing that, but we nullified their threat and it was a strong away performance.

“The players know they’ve given Cambridge two goals and that they’ve created enough chances to win. We’re creating good chances but we know we have to put the ball in the back of the net. It’s something we’ll continue to work on in training and it’s something we do very well in that environment. That tells me we will go on a run whereby scoring goals becomes easy.”

“We were disappointed with their set piece goal and the penalty but, apart from that, I don’t think they really had anything else to offer,” he commented. “Their only real chances came from our poor decision making. The corner was poor man-marking and we need to look at the area he was allowed to score from. 

“I thought there was nervousness about Cambridge until they scored the goal and that calmed them down a little bit. I thought they rocked when we equalised, but we gave them another goal with the penalty. As I say, that was down to poor decision making. 

“When we got our second goal in the second half I thought there was only one team to go on and win it. That’s credit to us because we didn’t let them settle and we tried to disrupt their rhythm.”

“We’d rather not have to keep getting something from losing positions but it does show that there’s resilience within the group, which is excellent,” he continued. “There are game changers within the team and on the bench. The squad is building and the signs are very pleasing. 

“That was the reasoning behind the substitutions I made. I just wanted to change things and give things a fresh impetus. Charlie [Wyke] came on and scored and Jamie [Devitt] was unlucky not to have started. It’s a good squad with good options and we’re prepared to go toe-to-toe or play a football match.”

On the very prominent role both he and Shaun Derry took on the touchline throughout the 90 minutes, he said: “It was the type of game that suited both managers. We both want to win and I’m sure that came through.

“It’s a very good team that Shaun has assembled and we thought we were playing them at the right time when results haven’t quite gone their way. There are a lot of pleasing aspects because the players we have in our group are taking information on board really well.”

 “I thought Jabo [Ibehre] was a threat and we needed that physical presence. He was excellent as a focal point and you know that goals will follow with the more chances you get to give him 90 minutes.

“That was his first full game back and he will only get better. We all know that and we also know he is an excellent weapon to have in your armoury. We have good players doing the right things and I’m feeling fine with where we are because it’s a lot easier to turn draws into wins.

“As I say, all we have to do is continue to do the right things. That’s vitally important because rewards come if you’re doing that. We’re going down the right route and that’s been the message to the players – let’s carry it on. 

“There are some aspects we need to improve on, because we’ve given a header away in the middle of our goal and a poor decision to concede the penalty, but those are areas we can concentrate on and rectify. 

“When I took over the team had suffered a lot of defeats. That has a ripple effect right through the football club and into the community. We’re changing that bit by bit. The fans understand that. I think our home and away support is going to get bigger and bigger. 

“Getting the equaliser in front of them was excellent and, yet again, their support was fantastic. The pleasing thing is they’re getting full, committed performances from their players and a real bond is starting to grow. I like that.”