Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has described claims that Barrow handed the Blues victory on a plate as "ridiculous".

Simpson said United’s impressive football deserved more credit from their opposition following the 5-1 victory at Brunton Park.

Simpson’s opposite number Pete Wild said Carlisle had been “gifted goals” by his team and that his players had put chances “on a plate” for the hosts.

United’s manager said the post-match angle from the Bluebirds did his own team’s play on Tuesday night a disservice.

“I've got to say I'm a bit disappointed by some of the comments that came out of Barrow, that we didn't cut them open and were gifted it...” he said.

“Come on. You don't lose 5-1 if you if you haven't been cut open.

“I think of Owen Moxon's pass to Joe Garner – that’s a world-class pass that takes everybody out the game.

READ MORE: Barrow manager reacts to thrashing by Carlisle United

“There was Owen Moxon's run down the left hand side to slot it inside for Omari Patrick, the football we played for Jon Mellish’s second goal…

“That's good football and I think you have to give the players credit for that, that they earned the right in the way they stuck at it first half and then, in the second half, they just went to town and put on a really strong performance.”

Barrow manager Wild claimed his own side “disrespected” their travelling fans with an “atrocious” second half in which they conceded four to the rampant Blues.

News and Star: Carlisle annihilated Barrow 5-1Carlisle annihilated Barrow 5-1 (Image: Ben Holmes)

Simpson went on to say the failure to acknowledge Carlisle’s good play was “ridiculous”.

But, speaking at today's press conference, he added: “I'll be honest, I don't care. It's more about [the fact that] I know what we did.

“I know that we had a bit of luck with the first goal [when Mellish appeared to be in an offside position]. I totally get that. No problems about that.

“We had a little bit of bad luck when we got one disallowed at Northampton and we had two decisions go against us at home, against Leyton Orient.

“Everybody tells me it evens itself up. So we're still owed two, and let's see when they come…

“But in the second half I thought the players were outstanding, really good.

“And whether or not that's because Barrow were poor or we were very good, I don't know what it was, but it was a really good second-half performance from us that absolutely put them to bed.

“And we need to make sure that the next time we play them, we're even better in the first half than we were on Tuesday night, and we try and produce a full 90 minute performance like we did in the second half.”