CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson said he would have settled for a point at Oldham Athletic, and praised his team's desire to grab all three.

The Cumbrians trailed on the stroke of half-time when Hallam Hope scored against his old club to give Latics the advantage going into the break.

But Carlisle equalised through Patrick Omari early in the second half, before Morgan Feeney sealed it with a late header for the visitors.

And Simpson praised an "absolutely magnificent" run after securing a third win on the spin.

Carlisle were in the bottom two when he was appointed less than a fortnight ago, replacing Keith Millen for a second stint in charge at Brunton Park more than 15 years after his last.

They are now six points clear of second-bottom Latics after backing up victories at Leyton Orient and at home to Rochdale in Simpson's first games back in charge.

“Obviously I couldn’t do anything about the first 31 games of the season, but I’ve seen plenty of character in the lads since I returned," he said.

“I would have been quite satisfied with a draw here (at Oldham) I have to admit, because seven points from a possible nine would have been a really good return.

“But to now be looking at nine points from those three games is absolutely magnificent."

Simpson added: “People underestimate the pressure that footballers are under sometimes.

“Of course the pressure is nothing like what’s on our NHS workers, but it can be tough.

“The first half could have knocked the stuffing out of us, but in the second it was a different story.

“It was a lovely header to win the game, and it was brilliant to watch it go in, right in front of our fans.

“The players have shown real desire and great personality to come back and win this game in the manner that they did.”