A proud Keith Curle hailed the rest of his Carlisle United staff as his side equalled the club record for their longest unbeaten start to a Football League season with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Doncaster Rovers.

Sub Jabo Ibehre’s late leveller means the Blues sit seventh after 10 League Two games.

And their unbeaten start has emulated the feats of Carlisle’s 1989/90 side.

Manager Curle said: “I’m very proud of it [the record] as the football manager.

“But likewise, there are a lot of people behind the scenes who do a fantastic job to help me, the players and the football club.

“Sometimes they don’t get mentioned and maybe this is an opportunity for me to say a massive thank you.

“We can’t do it on our own as players and as football staff.

“Everybody from the laundry ladies to the commercial staff are getting on board with what we are trying to build, which is an environment where we can maximise everything we have got.”

United took the lead in the 16th minute at the Keepmoat Stadium as Shaun Miller scored his second goal in two games.

But the hosts responded well, with Tommy Rowe slotting home an equaliser, before John Marquis completed the turnaround late in the first half.

Darren Ferguson’s Donny could have extended their lead in the second half but Rowe’s penalty hit the post.

And Curle was far from pleased with referee Ross Joyce’s decision to award the spot-kick.

“I think it wasn’t a blatant penalty because of the time that lapsed while the referee was waiting to make a decision,” Curle said.

“Whether he got assistance from somebody else, I thought the player went down very easily. The referee said there was some shirt pulling. I didn’t see that.”

Blues boss Curle brought on strike duo Ibehre and Charlie Wyke shortly after the penalty miss and the changes paid off as Ibehre grabbed a Carlisle leveller, which was the ex-Leyton Orient striker’s 100th league goal.

Curle added: “Jabo is coming back, so are Charlie Wyke and Shaun Miller.

“We are starting to score goals.

“The players and the squad are understanding now that, sometimes, you might not get a starting place but you are going to get used and you are going to be a vital cog in the team.

“That shows a unity. We win together and we draw together.”

It was skipper Danny Grainger's 100th Blues appearance.

Curle, meanwhile, said he will continue monitoring Derek Asamoah and an unnamed trialist in training this week, adding that a deal has been agreed to send another member of his squad out on loan.