Paul Simpson admitted Carlisle United’s efforts were “massively encouraging” in their 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers.

But the Blues boss warned against getting carried away by their impressive showing against the League One side.

Goals from Ryan Edmondson, Ben Barclay and Kristian Dennis earned Carlisle an eyecatching pre-season result at Brunton Park.

It came as Fin Back impressed on debut against a Bolton side who included Cumbrians James Trafford and Kyle Dempsey.

READ MORE: In pictures: goals and new signing in Carlisle United's win over Bolton Wanderers

Simpson said of the display: “It was massively encouraging. Lots and lots of good things out of it.

“The biggest thing for me was the fitness and strength levels I saw from them.

“The discipline they showed, the work ethic…all those things were really good.

 “Although I’m not forgetting it’s a pre-season friendly.

“I know we need to better at things in certain areas, so there’s still a long way to go.”

Carlisle, in front of a 2,239 crowd, got the better of Ian Evatt’s visitors with a strong and hard-working effort.

It continued a positive pre-season so far as United’s squad prepare to head to Largs for a training camp this week.

“I think the other thing was that they looked comfortable in the shape they had, and the discipline to keep that shape throughout, even when we were making a whole host of changes,” Simpson added.

“There were tired legs from the lads who played the 90 minutes but you expect that.

“There were so many things to be pleased about. I keep saying that the games are an extension of training and this has been another really good training day for us.”

Simpson said United’s players had responded to instructions on how to try and outwit Bolton’s third-tier players.

“We literally did a walk through on the way we wanted to set up against them,” Simpson added.

“We didn’t actually know their team but we talked about [Ricardo] Santos playing as the central one of the back three, and the way they play they want to get everything through him.

“They use him to try and bounce it into midfield and out to the outside centre backs.

“It was a case of, if they do try it, can we be in areas where we go and threaten it and win it back. Then, if you do that, can we have a quick transition and see if we can get something from it.

“There were a lot of good things and when you do that walk through and it works, at least it shows that they are listening to us and they’re able to go and execute it.”

Simpson said he was impressed with Back’s combative performance on his debut, as the Nottingham Forest loan man caught the eye in the right wing-back position.

The manager also welcomed the support Carlisle received from the stands and said: “It’s been good through pre-season – we’ve had good support at the games so far and that was the same here.

“I’m sure on a hot sunny day there were a lot of other things the supporters could do, so I was delighted to see that attendance.

“They’re really important to us. We want them to come back in, and all of the players out there, whether they started or came on, young or experienced, they’ve all done themselves a heck of a lot of good.”