Paul Simpson hopes the goals will now start to flow for Sean Maguire after the striker broke his Carlisle United duck.
The summer signing’s first-half effort at Stevenage was his first strike since joining the Cumbrians.
While Maguire has impressed in several of his early-season performances, Simpson acknowledged that a first goal for the Republic of Ireland international was all important.
His opportunist effort at the Lamex Stadium ought to be a launchpad for the ex-Preston North End and Coventry City man, Simpson feels.
“That first goal is always the hardest – I’m chuffed he’s got it and hopefully they start to flow now,” said the Blues boss.
Maguire pounced on a long Jack Armer ball before firing past home keeper Taye Ashby-Hammong in Hertfordshire.
It came a week after he was involved in United’s opener against Shrewsbury Town, though that goal was ultimately credited as an own-goal.
There was no denying the 29-year-old on Saturday and Simpson said of his first Carlisle strike: “He did really well, it was a brilliant run.
“We knew the way Stevenage play they were going to have quite a high line – we talked about maybe not just doing it in one pass but trying to get that extra pass to drag them out and clip it in there.
“But the goal came from one ball over the top, and Sean showed his nouse to be in the right area, and his pace to get away.
“I thought he’d just lost the chance, I thought it was on to lob the keeper at first but it got stuck under his feet.
“The pitch was quite dry, it made the ball drag a little bit, but I was delighted to see it go in.”
Maguire’s goal came on a day Joshua Kayode made his first league start since his loan return from Rotherham United, while fellow frontmen Terry Ablade and Joe Garner made an impact from the bench.
“Hopefully we can keep getting the best out of Joe with the role that he’s playing for us at the moment,” said Simpson of two-goal Garner.
“He’s coming on and causing problems, and Terry caused problems, and JJ is still finding his feet and getting himself fully fit.
“We’ve seen that Sean is getting stronger, so things are coming along at the same time as knowing there are areas we need to improve.”
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