Carlisle United boss Paul SIimpson's reaction to "horrible" spectacle against Crewe Alexandra

The Blues had to settle for a goalless draw at Brunton Park after an uninspired showing.

While the clean sheet ensured Carlisle extended their unbeaten league run to seven – their best sequence for more than four years – there was little else to recommend their display, manager Simpson admitted.

“It’s really hard to put my finger on it, because it was horrible to watch,” he said.

“Fair play to the 5,000 people who came in and stayed with us because, I’ve got to say, they were the only ones who had a bit of life at the end. Our team certainly didn’t.

“That’s the disappointing thing – it’s a missed opportunity.

READ MORE: Big match verdict on Carlisle United v Crewe Alexandra

“We felt it was a really good chance to pick up more points. We could have got ourselves into a position where we’d cemented our place.

“It’s now been an ok week, and I’m sure some people would be satisfied with five points from nine, but I think we should be looking at more now.”

Defences were on top with Rod McDonald having a dominant game for Crewe on his return to his former club, and Paul Huntington named United’s man of the match for a strong showing.

Paul Huntington impressed in United's defence (photo: Ben Holmes) (Image: Ben Holmes)

Simpson admitted it looked “a game too far” for his team, but said he remained happy with United's start to the season after 11 games.

He said, though, he would offer no excuses for their latest showing.

“We were up against a Crewe side who have struggled a little bit, but we’ve allowed them to look like a good football team,” he said.

“We allowed them to bring balls down and play football because we weren’t on the front foot enough.

“Maybe there was a little bit of fatigue there, or a lack of belief that we could go on and win the game. I don’t know why that’s the case, with the results we’ve picked up so far, and with the way we’ve gone about our business.

“I suppose the only bonus we can take out of it is that we didn’t lose. We’ve had two teams who I think I’m right in saying have only had one shot each.

“Apart from that, we’ll be able to just fold those nets up and put them away, there’ll be need to clean them or wipe them down at all.”

United remain unbeaten at Brunton Park in the league this season but Simpson said he expects more spark from his side.

“It was [a lack of] energy and sharpness,” he added.

Neither keeper had many saves to make (photo: Barbara Abbott) (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“When we’re doing well we are a real front foot team, we go and press teams, win second balls, create opportunities. I don’t think we’ve done that today.

“I can’t think of anybody who’s done that. There were opportunities where balls were bouncing around in midfield and we haven’t got onto it, stepped forward, our forward players haven’t gone and created chances.

“There were lots of things there. It’s probably quicker to say what was good about it – there just wasn’t a lot.”

Simpson, though, admitted United, who are now ninth in League Two, could take some satisfaction from keeping Crewe out at the other end.

“It’s a clean sheet, and I’ve said this before – if you can’t win it make sure you don’t lose it,” he said.

“We’ve made sure we haven’t lost it. We’ve defended ok as a team, because we’ve had to, more than anything. We weren’t good enough in possession of the ball.

“It’s probably fair to say Hunts deserved man of the match for us, because of the way he went about it, no-nonsense defending.

“I just wish we had a little bit more life about us to get something going forward.

“Hopefully this week we can get them freshened up, back to working, back to believing again, and hope next weekend we’ve got much more energy than we showed today.”