Paul Simpson said Carlisle United’s 2-0 win over Rochdale on his Brunton Park homecoming was full of the spirit and character they will need to win their survival fight.

It proved a successful return to the ground for the Blues manager as Omari Patrick and Tobi Sho-Silva earned a second straight win.

Simpson and the players received a memorable send-off from the home crowd as Carlisle moved up to 19th in League Two.

Things ended with the best atmosphere witnessed at the ground for some time – and Simpson said his team had earned the salute.

“There was character, personality – all of the things I believe have been questioned, and the only way you can change that is by going out there and doing the business,” he said.

“The players deserve a massive amount of credit for it because that’s what they’re doing.

“I’m just a different face, a different voice who’s organising it, but the players are the ones. Let’s give them the credit – their personality, their character that earned them the right to become professional footballers is starting to come out.”

Patrick fired United in front midway through the first half for his second goal in four days.

Sub Sho-Silva then triggered big celebrations when he counter-attacked impressively to make it 2-0 in the 90th minute.

It kept the Simmo bandwagon rolling after the Cumbrian’s hugely popular return to the United dugout.

The manager said: “It was really big to get the first goal. I think it gives the supporters something to hold onto. We want the players to hold onto it and it gives the fans a lift as well. It’s just what we needed.

“Then the players stayed in the game, defended, did their jobs. There was a couple of little skirmish breaks that they had where our keeper came in and made a couple of really good saves.

“But they stayed in the game. At half-time the players identified where the issues were, we made a little adjustment to it to be a little bit more front foot and try and stop them building comfortably, and having to go longer.

“I think that really played into our back three[‘s hands] in that they were able to go and compete, and got some massive headers in.”

United were given a tough examination by Rochdale and needed their defenders and keeper Mark Howard to be on top form.

“If I’m going to be honest I thought they [Rochdale] were a better football team,” Simpson said.

“They were a really good footballing team. They’ve got a good style of play, and players who are confident on the ball. It’s something that I’d really like us to get to.

“I’d like to get us to a point where we have more control in games, but I totally understand that it’s like a bit of a fear because of what’s been going on in terms of results.

“What we lacked in controlling a game we absolutely made up for it in desire, commitment, determination, togetherness. They’re the things I think people take for granted, but if you don’t have it then you’ve got no chance.

“It’s really hard to pick out individuals because they were outstanding as a group. I’ve talked about the whole group having to stick together, and I’ve asked the fans to give us a chance and I’ve asked the players to work for each other.

“I think there was a real determination about what we did that earned us the result.”

It was put to Simpson that Sho-Silva’s goal had triggered the loudest and best feeling Brunton Park has seen for a long time. Asked how that moment had felt to him, he said: “The loudest and the best feeling I’ve had for a long time! You’ve just given me my answer there.

“It’s brilliant. When you’re on this side of it, the horrible side of football, on the coaching/management side – I’d much rather be playing – it’s actually just a feeling of relief, to think, ‘Ah, wow, job done. Let’s dust ourselves down and go for the next one’.

“It was brilliant. Most people stayed didn’t they? They’re all still in at the end. The players earn the right to go and take the ovation and thank the fans for turning up, which is really important.

“And let’s get a result Saturday and get them all back in for the next one.”