Cheltenham Town boss Darrell Clarke felt his side defended “superbly” to keep Carlisle United at bay.

And the Robins manager said their 1-0 victory at Brunton Park has put them firmly in the fight for survival in League One.

It was Cheltenham’s fourth win since Clarke took charge and he praised the team’s game-management as they prevailed against Paul Simpson’s team.

“For me, the result’s everything,” said Clarke.

“It was a big game for both teams, and my lads stood up to the challenge.

“It wasn’t a classic and was never going to be with gale-force winds.

“But we defended our goal superbly and a little bit of quality, and a mistake from their goalie, and we won the game so I’m delighted.”

Liam Sercombe’s strike, following a Tomas Holy mistake, allowed bottom side Cheltenham to go level on points with Carlisle, who are now second bottom on goal difference.

News and Star: Ex-Carlisle midfielder Adam Murray, the Cheltenham No2, on the touchline at Brunton ParkEx-Carlisle midfielder Adam Murray, the Cheltenham No2, on the touchline at Brunton Park (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The Robins endured a long goalless start to the 2023/24 campaign but have scored in each of their last ten games under Clarke.

At the other end, it was a second clean sheet on the road for the Gloucestershire club.

On the blustery conditions at Brunton Park, Clarke said: “Conditions were the same for both teams. In the second half we defended superbly.

“A handling error from Luke [Southwood] gave [Carlisle] probably their only chance of the game. We looked good on the counter at times as well.

“Our game management was very good.”

The Cheltenham boss, whose assistant is the ex-Carlisle midfielder Adam Murray, believes his team are now very much in the contest to stay in the division and feels the spirit in the Robins’ changing room is reflected by their efforts at Brunton Park.

“We’ve got ourselves, I firmly believe, into a fight,” he told GloucestershireLive, “where two months ago we were nowhere near it.

“Now we’re fighting and scrapping away and we’re trying as hard as we possibly can to stay in the league.”