CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson has said he was 'massively encouraged by the Blues' first League One victory. 

Simpson's side secured their first victory of their 23/24 third-tier campaign with a 2-0 victory against Matthew Taylor's Salop at Brunton Park.

An own-goal from Shrews' midfielder Tom Bayliss and a late strike from substitute Joe Garner wrapped up the three points for the Blues.

Speaking ahead of Carlisle's trip to take on Steve Evan's Stevenage, Simpson explained how this performance and result has given his side a boost and was the culmination of a number of positives that the Blues have shown so far this season.

"We were massively encouraged, I think, to tell you the truth, I have been encouraged by periods in every game we have had this season," He said.

"We have had spells where we have done some really good things, we haven't just capitalised on the good things that we have done and that was the same thing on Tuesday.

"Whereas, the Shrewsbury game we had a little bit of luck with the first goal, it was a delivery that went in and we got a little bit of luck and then we were clinical when we got the second one as well."

Ahead of the trip to the Lamex Stadium, Simpson continued by challenging his squad to make the most of the momentum built by the home victory and ensure that they are at their clinical best at the weekend.

He said: "That's what you have to do, as you step up levels the number of chances you get tend to drop down a little bit because of the quality you are coming up against so when you get them you have to make the most of them and unfortunately we haven't done that so far this season.

"Let's hope this weekend we can start to take the confidence we got against Shrewsbury and make sure we take it into this weekend's game."