Paul Simpson says Carlisle United’s stirring fightback against Wigan Athletic should fill his players belief about their League One potential.

The Blues came from behind to draw 1-1 with a high-quality Latics side at Brunton Park.

Owen Moxon’s second goal of the season earned them a point thanks to a superb second-half showing which followed a dominant Wigan first half.

Manager Simpson, who felt his team were backed by “outstanding” support, said it should reassure the Blues that they can handle the third-tier level.

“I’m hoping it’s given the players some belief,” he said.

“I’ve told them that they have to believe how good that second half was, and make sure they take a lot of strength from it.

“That’s what you’re involved in football for, to see that type of performance in the second half.

“That’s what we want from the start of every game and we’re going to have to -if we’re going to be involved in this league and if we want to compete, we’ve got to do it.

“I think we’ve got good players, I think we’re a good side. I don’t think we’ve really gone full throttle yet, barring that second half.”

Wigan’s former United striker Charlie Wyke shot the visitors in front before the break and Shaun Maloney’s side were difficult for Carlisle to live with for most of the first 45 minutes.

But Carlisle’s fightback earned them plaudits from fans and Simpson said the level of side they took on should not be underestimated.

News and Star: Paul Simpson on the touchline Paul Simpson on the touchline (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I think that’s the best we’ve faced this season. When we came up against Fleetwood I thought, ‘Bloody hell, these are a good side’. Oxford were a good footballing side but I thought barring a real silly lapse in concentration we should have got something out of that game.

“Tonight, particularly first half, I thought Wigan showed their real quality. I’ll be very surprised if they’re not up there at the end of the season.

“I think they’ve still got close to a Championship side. But I thought we stuck at it, and when we were more aggressive in the way we pressed and ran and passed the ball, I think in the end we thoroughly deserved a point out of the game.

“We’ve just got to make sure we compete like we did in the second half whoever we come up against.

“At half-time I said I thought they worked really hard out of possession, but not hard enough in possession.

“We knew this was going to be a real challenging season but it’s a great challenge that we’re all looking forward to getting stuck into.”

Moxon was back in the side after his recovery from illness while there was a full debut for striker Sean Maguire as he returned to availability following the family matter which kept him out of the Oxford United defeat.

Jack Ellis also came into the side with Simpson saying Fin Back was rested on parent club Nottingham Forest’s recommendation.

“We had some really strong individual performances,” added Simpson.

“Jordan Gibson was excellent, Jon Mellish with his energy, Mox getting back in the team, Sean Maguire showed his quality, I thought Luke Plange when he came on was outstanding, with his work and touch at times.

“I think you could tell by the reaction of the fans, who were absolutely magnificent, that they appreciated what the players did in the second half.

“They can see they’re trying to do it properly and hopefully we can go and repeat that on Saturday [against Exeter City].”