Curle pleased to see plans pay off as Carlisle continue hunt for play-off spot

Posted Saturday, March 31, 2018 by PA

Carlisle boss Keith Curle felt his side executed their game-plan perfectly in a battling 1-0 win over Cheltenham.

Jamie Devitt’s second-half penalty was enough to separate the sides at Whaddon Road and extend Carlisle’s unbeaten run to eight matches.

The result kept the Cumbrians’ play-off hopes alive, moving them to within four points of the top seven with six matches left.

“It was important we had a starting point and a platform to build on,” Curle said.

“You’d say we looked a threat when we introduced pace into our team, but the important thing was that we had a foothold in the game from the start.

“Decisions have to be made and people may have looked at our team and had their opinion on what they thought we had right or wrong.

“I am prepared to take criticism, but I do the job to the best of my ability with the information I am given and the knowledge I have and the bravery to make decisions I think are right for the team.

“If you are mid-table with no aspirations to go and climb the table you can go out and play open, expansive football.

“We are at the stage of the season now where we need wins and you have to be a manager who is prepared to get those wins.”

Devitt struck the only goal of the game after substitute Hallam Hope was brought down in the box.

Midfielder Devitt sent Scott Flinders the wrong way from the spot to net his 10th goal of the season and send the travelling fans home happy.

Richie Bennett nearly made it 2-0 with a low show which bounced back off the right post, while Cheltenham had earlier gone close with a looping header from Will Boyle and efforts from Mo Eisa and Jerell Sellars which Jack Bonham saved.

Robins boss Gary Johnson was disappointed not to see his side pushing for a leveller after falling behind, but he was pleased with the overall performance.

“Carlisle have an uncompromising game and it gets them results,” he said.

“With hindsight I wish I hadn’t changed things around after the goal as we didn’t get better.

“I put on a couple of big players and suddenly the team didn’t have the cohesion that it had just before that.

“We made a mistake and it’s cost us the game.

“We’ve had 20 odd shots and more of the play, so it’s a shame the game ended like it did because the boys have produced some good football.”