Carlisle United's Paul Simpson on the Northampton Town draw

The Blues put on a much better showing despite being denied victory in added time.

The 2-2 draw came after a spirited showing by Simpson’s side and a display which was welcome after their recent heavy defeats.

And the manager chose to highlight the positives of the afternoon despite the frustration of Northampton’s late leveller.

“I take a massive load of heart from that,” Simpson said.

“I talk about football being a running game, and you do have to work, compete and all that. But it’s the football as well, and I thought we played some real good football.

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“I thought we had a good shape about us, a balance in midfield, good energy about us – and it’s certainly given us something to build on.

“There were periods in the Reading game at the start of each half which I was pleased with but you can’t be pleased when you lose to five goals, and I can’t be pleased when you lose to three at Blackpool.

Paul Simpson pictured after the game (Image: Ben Holmes)

“But this has given us a hell of a confidence boost.”

United, despite having the better of the first half, went behind when Tomas Holy let Shaun McWilliams’ shot slip through his grasp.

Simpson said there was no hiding from that error, but said Carlisle’s response was strong.

“I think [goals like that] are avoidable,” he said.

“There were incidents in the second goal that were avoidable as well.

“I think it’s a fantastic finish from [Kieron] Bowie, I’m not going to take anything away from him. But we could have stopped it earlier, we could have done something different in a couple of situations.

“The first goal’s the sickener for me, because we were in control, doing really well.

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“We were struggling to get the first goal, I accept that. I’m not going to say we absolutely battered the door down at the end but we had good control of the ball, we were in control of the game, and when you lose that you have a bit of a fear we’re going to go under.

“I just think the reaction after it was outstanding. We kept trying to do the right things right, we got ourselves 2-1 ahead, then I’m looking [and thinking] ‘should I put another defender on…?’

“I probably won’t sleep tonight thinking about those things. But there were lots of things we did well. I can look at little things and blame myself but overall I’m proud of the performance.”

Jack Armer and Ryan Edmondson both hit their first goals of the season to put Carlisle within sight of victory.

Luke Plange gave United real energy, Simpson said (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Simpson said the players must hold onto the positive aspects of the day in spite of the late disappointment.

“You have to. You’ve got to take belief from it,” he said. “That’s what I said to the players. You’ve got to take confidence.

“I’ve got to say, I really enjoyed standing on the sideline even though I was like a drowned rat. I enjoyed watching it, and I think the reaction from the supporters showed they enjoyed watching it.

“And that’s what we’re in it for, to enjoy it. I said to the players, ‘You must have enjoyed playing in it’. That was a really good performance and maybe we deserved more, but we didn’t get it so we have to keep going.”

Simpson said United’s display had more “energy” because they exerted more control in possession.

“We weren’t giving it away and having to chase back,” he said. “We kept the ball, kept it shifting around.

“I thought we had energy from Jordan Gibson and Luke Plange, I thought Robbo [Jack Robinson] and Alfie [McCalmont] gave us energy, the two full-backs did…there were so many good things out of it.”

United remain three points adrift in the relegation zone despite moving up a place to 21st.

They will now prepare for some huge games over the festive period including the next two fixtures against fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town and Fleetwood Town.

“It has to be a platform, we have to use it as a boost,” added Simpson.

“We’ve got Cheltenham coming up [next] weekend who are going to be scrapping for their lives, who’ve got some good results under their new manager.

“So we know it ain’t gonna be easy. If we can perform to that type of level today, I’m sure we’ll give Cheltenham problems and hopefully we might get more than one point.”