Keith Curle today hailed the Shaun Brisley wonder goal that set Carlisle United on their way to another crucial win.

The big defender's amazing 35-yard volley was the highlight of the Blues' 2-1 win against Yeovil which kept them second in League Two.

And Curle said the spectacular strike - Brisley's first for United - could even set the centre-half on a goalscoring run.

"As soon as he tried it I thought, what the **** are you doing that for?" Curle said. "And then it was, what have you just done there?!

"Absolute quality. I don’t think it really sunk into Shaun. There was a bit of disbelief, then he started running around like a headless chicken.

"Fair play. If you don’t shoot, you've got no chance of scoring. Players will never get a rollicking from me for trying something that could potentially get rewards.

"If you get a sight of goal, let go. Buy a ticket and you might win the raffle.

"Shaun Brisley was brave enough to take the challenge on - and I keep on saying there are still surprises to come out of this squad.

Related: Brisley wonder goal helps Carlisle Utd to victory against Yeovil

"I think Shaun Brisley will get a group of goals on a run. At the minute things aren't quite landing for him in the box. But they will do.

"It wouldn’t surprise me in the next couple of weeks, if he's able to maintain his place in the team, that he goes on and scores a couple more goals."

Saturday's result, sealed by Charlie Wyke's winner, kept United on the tails of leaders Plymouth in the final game before Christmas.

The Blues also extended their gap above the play-off places to seven points, in front of a 4,636 crowd.

Curle said their strength on home territory was a big reason for their impressive form.

"It's a difficult place to come, not only because of the fantastic playing surface which lends itself to us getting the ball down, passing, playing and moving and players being able to trust the surface," the manager said.

"Also you've got the travel factor. People don’t like travelling this far north when they know they're going to come up against a team that’s this committed.

"Every team, manager, coach, club wants their supporters going away happy. On Saturday the supporters would have been impressed with the first half performance and when the dust settles, they'll think there was a resolve needed and a unity shown in the second half.

"When I first came into the club and talked about creating foundations and pillars, that's what I meant - being able to grind out results."

Curle again would not be drawn on the injuries that ruled Danny Grainger and Mike Jones out of Saturday's game, preferring to highlight the displays of the players who took their places.

Macaulay Gillesphey deputised for Grainger at left-back, while Reggie Lambe came back in on the wing as Jason Kennedy took Jones' place in central midfield.