James Tose hailed the character of his Carlisle City side as they went top of the Hallmark Security League First Division North table.

City came from behind at the D Marks Carpets Stadium on Saturday to beat Avro 4-2 in an early top-of-the-table clash.

Avro raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes but the Sky Blues hit back in the first period with David Renyard scoring twice, his first a stunning long-range effort.

In a pulsating first period, there was still time for the visitors to win a penalty, which City goalkeeper Stephen Townsley saved, before Rob McCartney completed the turnaround.

Tose’s team wasted some early chances after the restart but defender Tyran Taylor sealed the win with a towering header.

“It was very much a team performance,” said the Sky Blues’ boss Tose.

“I said before the game, I wanted it to be about the team and that we needed everybody to stick together. After 20 minutes, that happened, really.

“Everyone started backing each other up and, with the change in formation, we had more bodies around the ball.

“We denied them space to play their game. The togetherness of the team shone through and they showed what they are capable of.”

Having claimed 24 points from 10 league fixtures, Carlisle City are top of the pile, although second-placed Longridge Town are two points behind and have a game in hand.

Tose said: “We look like we are capable of scoring goals and being hard to beat.

"There is no doubting the team spirit and the effort from the boys. Obviously, we are delighted and it’s just good to get another win on the board.

“It shows tremendous character from the boys to go 3-2 up.

“To be honest, we should have finished it off in the first five minutes of the second half.

"We missed two gilt-edged chances that I thought might come back to haunt us but then Ty Taylor popped up with 10 minutes to go with a bullet header.

“It’s a brilliant win and sends us top-of-the-table.”