Carlisle City produced another positive performance to win 2-0 at Crook Town and stay sixth in the Northern League First Division.
Although beaten on Tuesday by Carlisle United when their Fred Conway Cup-tie went to penalties, City had won loads of praise for their performance.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “I think the effort we put into that affected us at Crook, particularly in the first-half.
“We looked leggy and we needed to use our substitutes sensibly through the game, and effectively in the end.
“Some time in matches you go out and look unbelievable, and on other occasions you just have to roll your sleeves up and battle through it.
“This was one of those. We had our moment of good fortune when they hit the post with a penalty, and our keeper Scott Simons had to make two very good saves early in the second-half but apart from that I can’t recall them having many opportunities.
“So to get through with another clean sheet, our fourth in the last five League games, was very satisfying.”
Crook had their best opportunity in the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty but Craig Moody’s effort came back off the post.
Not so with Rob McCartney when he got the chance to give City the lead from the penalty spot on 38 minutes as he made no mistake. Callum Birdsall added the second after 78 minutes.
“We don’t have anything in mid-week so we have time to rest and prepare for a big game at home to Guisborough on Saturday, who we have found to be difficult opponents in the past,” said Nichols.
