CARLISLE United 'thoroughly deserved' their 2-1 victory over Dino Maamria's Burton Albion at Brunton Park, according to boss Paul Simpson.

Despite their dominance in the first-half, the Blues were pegged back at half-time by Mark Helm's long distance opener.

However, second-half strikes from Jordan Gibson and Joe Garner inspired Carlisle to a memorable victory against the Brewers.

The Blues left it late to claim all three points and put a bit of distance between themselves and the drop zone, but given the multitude of chances his side had, Simpson believes two goals and three points was the least his side deserved.

"I think we thoroughly deserved it tonight," he said after the clash.

"I thought the way we went about it from the start was exactly what we expected. We talked about them, they have been really effective in the way they have been playing.

"They bank up with six as a back line with the two wide players dropping in and the big message tonight was about being patient and making sure we kept moving the ball, getting a good ball speed, getting into the right areas.

"I have got to say I was concerned at half-time, because they waited for a mistake and they punished it but second half I thought we stuck to it, kept going, got the reward with the first goal with Jordan Gibson... and then got that winner was a brilliant feeling and fantastic for everybody involved."

Simpson also compared the Blues' best performances of the season, against Bolton and Portsmouth, with the victory against Burton, highlighting the higher possession stats and the spirit of his squad.

He said: "It was a different type of performance. You look back at the Bolton game and there were lots of good things and they put us under a lot of pressure. You look at the Portsmouth game where I thought we were excellent, but they dominated possession.

"Tonight was about us dominating possession, us trying to use the ball well and I think you start to get a bit nervous when Joe Garner hits the man on the line and then Sam Lavelle volleys one over the bar, Fin gets one chalked off, but thankfully I thought the players showed tremendous character and they have got the reward in the end."