INTERVIEW: One of the most important I've scored

“I was in the box and it hit my belly as I tried to direct it in,” he said. “It’s the second one I’ve scored with my belly since I’ve been here, so that’s not going too badly at the moment!

“It was more a reaction than anything else. I wasn’t sure if the shot was going in so I just tried to direct it towards goal. Fortunately for me it went in.

“I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the most important goals I’ve ever scored. Relegation would be the worst thing you could get on your CV so it was massive for me, the club, the fans and everyone involved with Carlisle.”

“After the disappointment of last week I think this win was huge,” he told us. “The lads were getting behind each other before the game and, after everything that had been said, we wanted to get out there and put on a performance.

“Personally, I didn’t need any more motivation after hearing those comments. The gaffer did it to get a reaction and it worked. It was a huge low point for me when I walked off the pitch at Accrington and I didn’t want that again. We put it behind us, as did the fans, we stuck together, we were strong, and we did what we had to. 

“The most difficult thing to do is to pick yourselves up after something like that, but we managed it, and hopefully we can push on and build on what we’ve done in this game.”

“The good thing was that everyone did their job from the word go,” he said. “That came from the front two and all the way back through the team. We dug deep, put tackles in and put bodies on the line, and we got our just rewards. 

“We rode our luck at the end when they hit the bar but we deserved that from our overall performance. The three points gives us a bit of breathing space and the confidence to go into the next game to maybe enjoy it a bit more. If we’d lost this we could have been dragged right back into it so we go again on Wednesday to do more of the same. 

“We know we didn’t perform as a group last Monday so I think that does put you under a bit of pressure. A challenge was put in front of us and we rose to it. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads because we were excellent. There are a lot of young lads in that dressing room and some of them are in their first full season. They sink or swim at times like this and this game proves they have the fight to see it through.

“I’ve said it before but I’ve seen on a daily basis we have enough to stay in this league. The attitude and determination is there and I think that came across in this performance. We won’t be taking our foot off the pedal just because of this, but it definitely gives us a big platform.”

On the six minutes of time added on, he said: “It seems to last for an age! I was constantly asking the ref how long was left because it does seem to drag when you’re holding a lead. We saw the job out and that’s what matters.

“My heart was in my mouth when they shouted for a penalty. It was similar to the one against Morecambe, and that one was given. There was the sending off after that and I didn’t really see what happened. 

“I saw the lads holding each other but it’s hard to comment on it because I couldn’t see what was going on. It was just like a gathering of bodies.”

And on his current loan period, which ended at midnight on Saturday, he said: “I’ve loved it here and I want to extend it. It’s obviously been a bit of a rollercoaster but I want to do my part. 

“I want to be playing games and I want to be involved. I’ve enjoyed being able to show people what I can do and I really have loved every minute of being here.

“The fans have been excellent with me as well. It doesn’t matter which team you play for because if you go out there and give everything, and show you’re fully committed, they will always back you. 

“There’s a feeling of work still to do as well. I didn’t come here to get relegated and I’m also in a situation where my contract is up at Bradford in the summer. That means I’m playing for my future, wherever that may be.”