After he scored the goal which brought to an end Carlisle United’s run of League Two losses, Jack Iredale is under no illusions about what the Blues need to do in front of their own supporters this weekend.

“We want to show them how we played in the second half [at Leyton Orient],” says the left-sided defender, ahead of the visit of Daryl McMahon’s team on Saturday.

"We want to put together a full 90-minute performance like that."

Iredale will, once again, be eager to be in the thick of things for Steven Pressley’s side after his strike featured in a much-improved second-half display by the Cumbrians last weekend.

His effort cancelled out midfielder Josh Wright’s early penalty after young defender Jarrad Branthwaite was adjudged to have fouled James Brophy in the penalty box.

The 23-year-old admits United’s troops were pleased to halt a sequence of four straight league defeats.

“Nobody likes to go on a run of losses, so to stop that with a draw was good," he accepts.

"But I think we really could have turned that into three points, as well, which says a lot about how we turned it around in the second half.

"You want to win every game.

"When you have the momentum, and you feel you can win the game, it’s a bit frustrating [not to claim all three points].

"But the main thing is we did stop the run of defeats and, hopefully, we can set that down as a marker."

When asked what it had been like to be a part of the losing run the Cumbrians had been on prior to the draw they earned at the Breyer Group Stadium, Iredale replies: “It’s been frustrating, but all of us know exactly what we are trying to do.

“We are all pulling in the same direction and we are building platforms, and making progress, into turning these momentum shifts [during matches] into points. We are all behind what the gaffer [Pressley] is trying to do with us.

"To be able to turn a run of results around, and nearly get the three points, shows a good mentally but it shows we need to be stronger, as well. We are always striving for that.”

Iredale, who was the first of United’s summer recruits, agreeing a one-year deal in May, insists all the players remain behind under-pressure manager Pressley.

“Yeah, 100 per cent. We wouldn’t be here if we were not, and we wouldn’t be playing if we were not. What the gaffer set out for us to do is achievable and we have to do better as players to do that,” says Greenock-born Australian Iredale who emigrated with his family to New Zealand, and then Down Under, before he returned to Scotland and signed for his hometown club of Greenock Morton in the summer of 2017.

Meanwhile, Iredale’s goal against Leyton Orient, which came in the 48th minute, was his first in English football.

Iredale rifled Carlisle level after a corner from Jack Bridge had caused a scramble in the Orient box, as his shot left experienced home keeper Dean Brill, who was making his 100th appearance for the club, with no chance.

It was a rare goal with his right boot for Iredale.

He admits: “I think it will be my first one for a long time [with my right foot].

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet. I just slapped it really, and just hoped for the best.

“Jon [Mellish] is always going to throw himself about in those sort of positions, so I just let him do all the dirty work for me, and then it popped out to me. I thought, if I hit it high, it’s got a good chance of going in, which it did.”

Asked what the feeling had been like netting his first goal for the Brunton Park outfit, Iredale replies: “It was a good feeling.

“As a defender, you don’t get to enjoy that feeling that often. But, for it to be a goal which brings us right back into the game, and gave us a platform to get another goal, that was a good feeling.”

He adds: “I think any goal does [mean a lot] but especially when the team has been on a bad run of results, and all it takes is that one moment to get everyone lifted again.

“I felt like the goal did that.”

After Iredale had levelled the scores in east London, Nathan Thomas had a close-range chance to the right of goal but mis-hit his finish, while loan frontman Olufela Olomola had another attempt saved at the near post. Meanwhile, at the other end, captain Adam Collin was forced into a save to deny Brophy as both sides, ultimately, had to make do with a share of the spoils.

“It was a nice feeling but, also, a sense of ‘We could have won that one’ was there, as well,” says Iredale, reflecting on the mood in United’s camp after the clash against Carl Fletcher’s team.

“I think that shows how much we want this.”

Recent games have seen Iredale feature more regularly in a left wing-back role, as opposed to at left-back, and Iredale believes his new role has provided him with more of a licence to attack.

“Yeah, I think it has,” he says.

“Every time the ball goes up the pitch, I either need to be getting deliveries into the box or going in at the back stick.

“I have a lot more responsibility in terms of trying to help the team going forward, trying to support the boys up top who can really do the magic.”

When asked if he preferred either role to the other, he adds: “I think I have strengths in either position but, with being a wing-back, it’s about being higher and being more influential.

“So, I enjoy that side of it.”

With the Blues enjoying a free midweek, attention has now switched to 20th-placed United’s clash at home to Macclesfield, who are 15th in the league table but who also facing a winding-up petition.

Iredale says: “We have shown the away fans that we can play like that, and we now want to show everyone here that we can do that, as well.”