Gavin Skelton admitted Carlisle United’s excellent showing against Bradford City was up there with their best displays of the season.

An impressive 2-0 victory, as Jordan Gibson and Omari Patrick scored against their former club, continued the Blues’ good run under Keith Millen.

And Skelton admitted it was as well as they have performed at Brunton Park.

“That and the Salford game,” the assistant manager said. “We were composed and controlled.

“One of the fans said that and I wouldn’t disagree.

“It was a little bit edgy at first, but one we got in front you could feel that control.

“That is a sign of confidence from the players, and you felt we’d go and win this game.”

After Bradford’s Yann Songo’o had a goal disallowed, Gibson opened the scoring with a superb effort shortly before half-time.

Substitute Patrick then marked his second United debut with a late clincher.

It earned a fourth league win in five as improving Carlisle moved six points above the drop zone.

Skelton saluted the manner of the two goals.

On Gibson, he said: “He gives you that. Every game something happens, and he looks like he might score every game.

“When he does get the ball he’s one you actually think, ‘Something exciting might happen here’.

“This day and age there’s less and less of those players for whatever reason.

“He’s settled in really well, you can see that, and the quality of the pass from Jack Armer shouldn’t go amiss.

“You put a cross in [from that position] and sometimes you’re hoping, but here Jack picked Jordan out, let him cut inside and you had that feeling it was going to go in as soon as he hit it. It was great all the way from him.”

Patrick made a popular return from the bench in the second half – and capped Carlisle’s excellent showing with a clinically-taken second goal.

“It was a perfect start for him,” Skelton said.

“A great ball down the line to stretch their defence, Omari showed his pace and his quality when he got that chance, and it never looked in doubt that he was going to score.

“I said it was written for him. It’s funny how these things happen [on debut against your former club] – I don’t know if subconsciously you go that extra half a yard

“Once he got down the side he showed great composure, conviction and quality to score the goal. As a coach, fan, player, it’s a great time to score, you just feel that relief and it takes that edge out of the game.

“Omari gives us a different option and gives supporters a lift – you could feel the energy in the stadium when he came on.

“He seems to be delighted to be back, which is pleasing, and he’ll take a lot of confidence that and hopefully go on a run of goalscoring.”

Debutant striker Tyrese Omotoye also impressed in a strong overall team display, with United enjoying their best run of league form of the campaign.

On the performance, assistant boss Skelton added: “You’ve got to stay in the game in the first 20 minutes – any game, it is a battle; it doesn’t sound technical but it is the basics, head it, kick it, get a foothold in the game.

“Bradford started well and bright, we didn’t start as well as we would like, but after 10-15 minutes we got a foothold, played a couple of passes, managed to turn them, some good balls into good areas from full-back areas, and grew from there.

“You always felt there was more to come from us after 30-35 minutes. We’ve shown we can defend the box in the last few games which is pleasing, and we’ve shown we’ve got some quality when needed and that was the difference in the game.”