Paul Simpson felt Carlisle United “made a statement” with what he felt was the most complete performance of his reign at Salford City.

The Blues’ magnificent 4-1 victory in front of 1,315 travelling fans launched them back into the League Two play-off places.

And after Kristian Dennis (two), Callum Guy and Corey Whelan struck for the Cumbrians, manager Simpson spoke of his delight at the performance.

“That’s a big statement the players have just made there today,” he said.

“I think that’s probably our most complete performance since I came back to the club last season. I’m absolutely delighted.”

Carlisle led from the third minute through Dennis and, after Matt Smith levelled for the hosts, surged back in front through Guy, sub Whelan and Dennis, who took his tally to 12 for the season.

READ MORE: Big match verdict on Blues' brilliant win at Salford

United jumped up two places to sixth and Simpson was pleased with how ruthless his side were in the second half, as they scored four on the road for the first time in nearly three years.

“Without a doubt it could have been more, we had some really good chances, but I’ll take 4-1 and keep those other goals for another day,” he said.

“I thought we really took the game to them. I thought they looked a dominant side at the start in the second half, they came out with a bit of fire in their belly, but once we got that second goal it seemed to kill them off and we kept driving forward, and we could have had a hell of a lot more.”

United’s quick start epitomised their positive approach and Simpson said: “We talked about having a strong start, that was really important.

“Unfortunately for Salford at the minute they’re on a bit of a tricky run, and we knew if we could get the first goal we could cause problems.

“Unfortunately [after the opener] we didn’t carry on the way we wanted. For long periods of the first half they dominated the ball, as we knew they would as they’ve done it against most teams, but they dominated it in areas where I wasn’t really worried.

“It was a disappointing start to the second half, especially to concede, and we had a bit of a spell where it looked like they might be the ones to get a win out of it.

“But we pulled ourselves together, and rallied round.”

United also coped admirably with their latest injury blows, as they lost both Morgan Feeney and Fin Back before the midway point of the first half.

“Defensively we’ve been outstanding – Corey Whelan coming in for Morgan, and Jack Ellis was outstanding in the way he defended and got forward as well,” Simpson added.

“In all it was a really big, strong performance, and I don’t care what anybody says against Salford, they are probably as strong a squad as there is in this league – it’s been assembled with a really generous ownership group who’ve allowed them to do it.

“I thought we put in a big, big performance against them.”

READ MORE: Superb photos of Carlisle's away-day success at Salford

Simpson, meanwhile, was almost lost for words at the backing his side received from Carlisle’s fans at Salford.

“It was incredible, what they brought to the atmosphere,” he said. “That is magnificent, and that was even before the whistle went to start the game.

“We haven’t always [rewarded them] it as a football club. But in the majority of this second time of mine here we have given them something to shout about.

“But let’s be fair, they gave the players something to go for here. Even when I was watching our players warming up, they were in in their numbers, making the noise – the only ones making the noise.

“We heard [Salford’s fans] a little bit in the second half when they had a spell, but I asked the players to put on a performance that made sure our fans were still shouting at the end and they certainly did that.”