CARLISLE United boss Chris Beech felt his side produced their best performance of his tenure after they beat Colchester United 3-2, at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians chalked up a third straight win in League Two, having initially allowed a two-goal to slip against the U's.

Luke Norris's brace either side of half-time had seen Colchester recover a two-goal deficit, after goals from Lewis Alessandra and Jon Mellish had given the hosts a 2-0 lead inside the opening half hour.

But Aaron Hayden struck with nine minutes remaining to secure all three points for Carlisle and leave Colchester beaten.

“That’s the best overall performance since I took over,” said Beech, who took charge of the Cumbrians in November, 2019.

“We played with energy and commitment, and we could have easily scored three or four more goals.

“You do fear the worst when a team scores twice from two of the only real attacks they’ve had, but my players answered a lot of questions there.

“They could have crumbled and folded, because Colchester are a good side, but they never let up in getting the ball forward and going for the goal.

“Of course we got it through Aaron Hayden, and then he pulls off a goal-saving tackle with the last kick of the game.

“I’m just really pleased for the boys. You don’t always get what you deserve in this game, but if you do the work and believe in yourselves, good things tend to come your way.

“It’s still early, but we’re at the end of the table we want to be at.

"There’s a long journey ahead but the confidence is there, as it has been all along, and we’re now getting the results to go with it.”