Paul Simpson insisted Carlisle United’s stalemate at Walsall could prove an important point in the long run.

The Blues were held 0-0 by the ten-man Saddlers as they dropped back out of League Two’s top three.

But with huge games coming up against fellow promotion-chasers, manager Simpson says United now have the opportunity to make the most of their result at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

United’s boss dwelt on his side’s defensive resolve while admitting they lacked the killer moment in front of goal.

“We’ve had some really good opportunities, particularly in the second half, and there were a few little half chances,” Simpson said.

“We haven’t worked the keeper, that’s the problem, because when you get good opportunities you have to work the keeper better than we did today.

“I thought it was a strong, battling performance where we kept going right to the end.

“Who knows, it might be a really important point for us when we get to the end.”

United were up against ten men for the last half-hour after Hayden White’s dismissal over a challenge on Jack Armer.

That featured in a game where the officiating of ref Declan Bourne and one of his assistants came in for scathing criticism by Simpson.

Carlisle’s failure to find a goal saw them leapfrogged into the top three by Stockport County on goal difference.

Simpson felt the margins were tight against the Saddlers and added: “I don’t think we had a little bit of luck today if anything.

“I think we got into the areas. We had good deliveries going in, bodies in there.

“You think back to the moment when Kristian Dennis gets the flick and Jon Mellish is just a bit close to the byline to get it in.

“We had Owen Moxon’s header, and the one at the end where Manny Monthe gets a tiny flick and it takes it away from Ben Barclay.

“Those little things, on another day, fall in your favour and go in, it just didn’t happen today.”

Simpson, who lost Jack Ellis to a first-half hamstring injury, was full of praise for his side’s efforts at the other end which secured an 18th clean sheet of the league season.

“It was a tough game defensively because they don’t half load the box,” he said.

“With Conor Wilkinson and Jamille Matt, they went with two big ones, then they add Hayden White, Monthe and Oisin McEntee into it, and good delivery from whichever one it is putting the ball in the box.

“We had to get tin hats on and I think we’ve defended really well. It was the centre-backs doing it – probably only once or twice Tomas [Holy] came and collected things.

“The deliveries were so good and they blocked him in, but overall it’s a big clean sheet for us.”

Carlisle’s draw came after many of their fans were caught in heavy motorway traffic, with some arriving just as the game was kicking off and others not getting there until afterwards.

United had 1,086 travelling fans at Walsall and Simpson added: “It was absolutely incredible support.

“I knew they’ve had problems on the motorway on the journey down. Absolute credit to them for coming. It’s brilliant to see them all.

“The players, in fairness, were going over to show their appreciation at the end anyway, but I wanted to keep everybody together there and make sure we all stick together.

“The thing I said to the players is, ‘That could be a really important point’ if we can go and do it properly against Northampton and Stockport – which were always going to be huge games, they’re now even bigger, and absolutely brilliant games to look forward to.”