Carlisle United 2-0 Rochdale: Patrick and Sho-Silva give Simpson perfect homecoming

The Blues overcame Rochdale with a dogged performance on Simmo's first home game back as manager.

In front of 5,360 raucous fans, Patrick shot United ahead midway through the first half before sub Sho-Silva counter-attacked to wrap things up at the death.

It secured a second straight win since Simpson's return - and took the Cumbrians up to 19th, three points above the relegation zone.

It was also a second consecutive clean sheet, with Morgan Feeney and his fellow defenders outstanding in a solid rearguard effort and keeper Mark Howard making vital saves.

Paul Simpson back on the touchline at Brunton Park

Simpson named an unchanged side, Jamie Devitt in the XI despite picking up a knock in Saturday's victory at Leyton Orient.

The only change was on the bench, where keeper Magnus Norman returned from a back injury to take the place of Gabriel Breeze.

Simmo's selection meant a full home debut for striker Kristian Dennis and a first home start for Devitt since he rejoined the club in January.

Rochdale boss Robbie Stockdale made one change, Stephen Dooley coming into the visiting side at the expense of Max Taylor.

The visitors' passing game set the early tone, and Howard had to make an important save to deny Matt Done in the sixth minute.

Alex Newby, who found useful space for Rochdale in front of United's defence, then shot wide from 25 yards.

Omari Patrick, right, celebrates his opener

Carlisle, though, grew into the game as they closed off midfield space and on 11 minutes produced a bright attack which ended with Devitt firing Dennis's low cross wide.

A Jordan Gibson delivery from the right almost caught out keeper Lynch, before United's hard-working centre-halves got in the way of a Tahvon Campbell effort at the other end.

The Blues then pounced to take the lead midway through the half, when Devitt's searching free-kick caught out Lynch who, stretching, spilled the ball and Patrick was there to fire it high into the net for his second goal in four days.

The frontman then almost added another but saw his low attempt hit the outside of the right-hand post.

Joe Riley was one of several Blues players to block Rochdale shots late in the half, the wing-back intercepting a Newby drive as United reached the break 1-0 ahead.

After the break, Eoghan O'Connell tested Howard before Feeney denied Campbell.

Tobi Sho-Silva makes it 2-0

Patrick and Gibson had half-chances for United before Rochdale applied steady pressure as United went deeper.

Both managers made changes, and visiting replacement Conor Grant had a great late chance to level, but Howard again saved.

Sho-Silva celebrates

Carlisle showed further resolute defending - and in the 90th minute Sho-Silva wrapped things up, getting the better of Jeriel Dorsett as he ran onto Mellish's clearance, overpowered the Dale defender and kept his composure to score his first Brunton Park goal.

The goal was noisily greeted by United's fans, who saluted the team and Simpson at full-time.

United: Howard, Feeney, Simeu, Mellish, Riley, Armer, Guy (Whelan 74), Devitt (Devine 68), Gibson, Patrick, Dennis (Sho-Silva 72). Not used: Norman, Alessandra, Roberts, Omotoye. 

Goals: Patrick 25, Sho-Silva 90. 

Booked: Gibson, Armer. 

Rochdale: Lynch, O’Connell, Dorsett, Kelly, Clark (O’Keefe 63), Keohane, Dooley, Newby (Charman 72), Ball, Done (Grant 63), Campbell. Not used: Coleman, McNulty, Broadbent, Odoh. 

Ref: Marc Edwards. 

Crowd: 5,360 (280 Rochdale fans)