Abbott hails "unbelievable" players

27 August 2010 23:00
Carlisle manager Greg Abbott could not hide his delight after Paul Thirlwell struck a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Colchester. Thirlwell swept home in the third minute of injury time from close range after Gary Madine had fired the ball into a crowded area. Colchester were the better side in the first half and took the lead just before the half-hour mark. Brian Wilson's deep cross was headed in convincingly from close range by on-loan striker David Mooney for his first league goal for the U's. Abbott said: "I'm so pleased for the players and the fans because both put in unbelievable shifts. The fans for getting here and spending their money supporting us and the players for working so hard and showing everyone what kind of side we are. They showed the kind of people they are and that's why I had my first clenched. I love good people and we've got some good people connected with this club at the moment. "We showed good honest appetite and endeavour and got rewarded for that. I don't think anyone could go anyway thinking we didn't deserve the point. "We were disappointed not to win but given the time of the goal and how close we came to losing, we'll take the draw. It continues that momentum and it continues that belief. Our fans were outrageously fantastic and that goal was for them. They were incredible."

Source: PA