Paul Simpson's reaction to Carlisle United's superb victory at Tranmere Rovers

Kristian Dennis’s brace, backed up by a strong team performance, sent the Blues back into the League Two play-off places.

And, after the victory in front of a buoyant 905-strong travelling support, manager Simpson said his side had carried out the plans to the letter.

“It was everything we’ve asked of them,” he said.

“We got the basics right, and that was the big thing we talked about all week.

“The basics involve working, competing, tackling and doing it for each other.

READ MORE: Big match verdict on Carlisle's superb win at Tranmere

“These are things we haven’t done particularly well this season in terms of the way we start games, but we were properly on the front foot this time.

“We knew where we could cause them problems and I thought every single player we had out there today was outstanding.”

Dennis scored after just 39 seconds, before a second-half penalty took his tally to ten for the season.

United impressed in all departments on a day Paul Huntington gave a commanding defensive display on his return from injury.

Taylor Charters, on his first league start for over a year, also caught the eye with Jack Ellis and Jack Stretton impressing on their recalls.

Paul Simpson (Image: Richard Parkes)

And overall it was a far superior showing to United’s previous outing in the defeat to Stockport County last Tuesday.

Simpson said: “I had a real clear idea of where we were going wrong, but I wanted the players to see it, to identify it and tell me and the rest of the staff. And tell each other.

“And they did. It was a really good exercise. We’ve now set a standard with the way we’ve gone about this.

“I’m not daft enough to think that will happen every game. But for me, the work ethic, enthusiasm to go and run and close and press and tackle and head…that should be a given every single game.

“Now we’ve got to make sure we freshen them up this week so they have the same level of enthusiasm and energy to do it next week.”

United’s start to the game was particularly impressive, and set the tone for their overall showing against Micky Mellon’s side, whose seven-game unbeaten league run was ended.

“Because we were front foot, we locked on to their forward players, we didn’t allow them time to play. We did a lot of good things. That gives you a base to build on,” Simpson said.

“The first goal’s so important in games. That sounds like stating the bleeding obvious but it’s true – if you can get the first goal, especially somewhere like this who’ve got an unbelievable home record, a crowd that get behind them, it gives you something to go off and hang onto.

“We were front foot, positive, it was brilliant to see and gives us something to really build on.”

Simpson praised those who came into the side including Charters, saying: “He’s waited patiently, and without a doubt he’s grabbed his opportunity.”

Morgan Feeney also came back in for Corey Whelan, while Ellis replaced Fin Back who was out with a virus.

“We’ve got players who are adaptable, who prepare properly,” added Simpson.

“Jack Ellis only found out on the coach this morning he was going to start. We did all our prep with Fin Back in but he was ill overnight and dropped out. Jack was outstanding again.”