Carlisle City scored a splendid 1-0 win at Guisborough to make progress again in the FA Vase.
Josh Simpson popped up with a winner in the 92nd minute with the tie two minutes away from going to penalties.
After some disappointing League results recently this was more like manager Dan Kirkup expects from his side – and it came in a competition they enjoyed a good run in last season.
One of the keys was the return to senior action for assistant manager Michael Slack, playing his first game for four years.
He was a rock in the heart of the City defence, striking up a great partnership with Sam Smith and their effectiveness in defence seemed to inspire the players around them.
Another bonus for Kirkup was that centre-forward Calum Birdsall as able to return and after starting on the bench he was given 30 minutes at the end.
He’s a massive player for the way Kirkup wants his City side to operate and going forward it’s a welcome bonus.
City go to Shildon on Tuesday night by which time they will know their opponents in the next round of the FA Vase.
To listen to what Dan Kirkup had to say about the performance you can hear him below:
