Paul Simpson put Carlisle United’s opening-day thrashing to Gillingham down to “individual mistakes.”

And Simpson said there were “good things” in the performance that the Blues can build on in spite of their 4-1 hiding.

The Cumbrians started 2024/25 on a losing note as Mark Bonner’s side took advantage.

The first two Gills goals in particular saw the hosts capitalise on errors from keeper Harry Lewis and defender Terell Thomas.

“Individual mistakes, that's what it is,” said Simpson.

“Every goal was a mistake, but I think we've really gifted them.

“The first one, I think it's just a poor decision [by Lewis] to not come and punch it.

“The second one, a poor decision from Terell not to play forward. He actually plays a ball to Ben Barclay that makes it even more difficult for Ben to play forward than it was for T to play.

“So, that's a mistake. The third goal, we've allowed [Jack] Nolan to come inside on his left foot and he smashed it. It's a really good finish.

“And then the fourth goal is what Jonny Williams has done for the whole of his career. He's shown real good composure, quality.

“But it's individual mistakes. We got ourselves back in it at 2-1, and when you get yourself into that position, particularly away from home, you've got to make sure that you don't give them another goal to lift them.

“They were dropping a little bit. They were going and we gave them some energy with that third goal.”

Tim Dieng scored inside the first two minutes before Carlisle applied plenty of first-half pressure, Josh Vela denied a strong penalty shout before Charlie Wyke hit the bar with a great chance.

Jon Mellish pulled one back but it was in vainJon Mellish pulled one back but it was in vain (Image: Richard Parkes)

Jacob Wakeling then pounced early in the second half for Gillingham’s second and, after Jon Mellish pulled one back, Nolan and Williams increased the hosts’ victory margin.

Simpson felt there were good aspects to United’s game and said they must build no those whilst trying to eradicate the bad moments.

“I thought the level of performance after that first goal was excellent,” he said.

“We talked about just continuing to do the stuff that we were doing as we go into the second half. And then to concede that [second] goal is just an uncharacteristic thing from Terrell.

“But he reacted in the right way. He came back and he kept doing the right thing. So, hopefully we learn from it.

“I want us to be really forward thinking, forward playing, forward running. So to concede a goal like that is really disappointing.”

United conceded early in the second half in their previous three games in pre-season, but Simpson played down the idea of a worrying pattern.

“With a lot of the friendlies there were changes at half-time, so I don't think that's something,” the manager said.

“It's more about just being clear about what we're trying to do and not taking silly, unnecessary risks like we did.

“The result is a horrible result. I have to totally accept that. But there were a lot of good things out of the performance that hopefully we can take into the next few games.”

Simpson felt Carlisle could have had a penalty but said it would be wrong to dwell on that.

The Blues were beaten 4-1 at PriestfieldThe Blues were beaten 4-1 at Priestfield (Image: Richard Parkes)

“I didn't look at half-time – the other coaches looked and said it looked a penalty,” he said.

“But you can't change that. Nothing's going to come of that now. To be fair, it would sound like really clutching at straws if I was to say that cost us the game because there were other things that cost us the game.

“I thought Charlie showed real good composure with his chance. He just smashed it a bit too high off the crossbar and on another day it could have gone in.

“There were lots of good things. I thought the two strikers linked up really well. I thought Harrison and Josh Vela showed real good energy in midfield.

“For the first part of it up until the second goal, I thought we defended really well. The two wing-backs showed real promise and attacking mentality.

“So, a lot of good things, but again, we’re judged on the results and unfortunately that's not a very good one.”