Paul Simpson hails 'best Carlisle United performance for a long time' at Hartlepool United

Owen Moxon and two-goal Omari Patrick earned a memorable 3-1 comeback win in front of 691 travelling fans.

It took the Cumbrians up to seventh as they extended their best unbeaten league run for four-and-a-half years to eight games.

And manager Simpson said he could not fault his side’s showing at the Suit Direct Stadium.

“I said to the players, ‘I think it’s the best we’ve played for a long time’,” the Blues boss said.

READ MORE: Brilliant photos from Carlisle United's win at Hartlepool

“It was a really strong, physical footballing performance where I thought we’ve looked a really good side and created lots of chances.

“In the first-half they were probably not clear-cut chances, but in the second half we’ve gone away with it.

Paul Simpson (photo: Richard Parkes) (Image: Richard Parkes)

“There were loads of good things and that’s why they’ve scored three goals and won the game.”

After Alex Lacey had given Keith Curle’s Pools a half-time lead, Moxon levelled with an impressive strike for his second goal for his home-city club.

Substitute Patrick then got his first two goals of the season in the space of seven minutes.

It was the first time United have scored three on the road in the league since May 2021.

Simpson said: “That’s what’s been missing for us, those goals.

“We wanted to be clinical, we knew we’d get one-v-one opportunities, we know we’ve got players who can create chances and players who can finish them. I’m just delighted we have done.

“It’s great for Owen to get that goal with a really smart finish, and I’m delighted for Omari that he’s kept going, plugging away.

“He’s been a really effective finisher for us, and we’ve just got to hope we can keep them all fit and ready for the next one.”

Moxon’s name was sung by the travelling fans during another impressive display from the Denton Holme midfielder.

“It was a brilliant goal,” Simpson said.

“He had another opportunity in the first half where he passed it when I thought he should have gone for it.

Owen Moxon (Image: Richard Parkes)

“When he struck [his goal], I wasn’t sure it had enough power to get there, but it was obviously guided right.”

On Patrick, who won the game for United before going off injured, Simpson added: “That was him back – that’s him showing us what he’s about with his pace, and going at players and getting the finish. I’m delighted for Omari.”

Simpson said he would not be getting carried away by United’s form and their climb into the top seven.

But he admitted he was thrilled his side delivered such a positive showing for their travelling fans.

“The noise they made was incredible,” he said. “One of the things I said was we have to silence their crowd and make sure ours are noisy. I think it’s fair to say the players did that.

“It was a scene like we had at Oldham last year with Morgan [Feeney] in terms of the celebrations at the end. Brilliant, absolutely fantastic for everybody.”