It is testimony to the forthright Irishman that their is growing evidence that his passing style of football is winning over some of the home support following a standing ovation after the 2-1 defeat to top of the table Rochdale.

But for the many supporters who have chosen to stay away a two point haul from fifteen and only two goals scored justifies their thoughts that it is business as usual for the much maligned club.

Eight weeks ago the club had sacked four players as a cost cutting measure, only to be told by the Football League that they had to be reinstated. With an influx of cash from the sale of Scott Dobie to West Brom and the sell on clause on Rory Delap’s move from Derby to Southampton the club has been able to make a significant u-turn and allow Collins to bring players in.

The shock news that the club had paid a rumoured £50,000 fee to Shelbourne for Irish U21 star Ritchie Foran, certainly gave the fans something to talk about and following an impressive debut Foran looks to have the credentials to only use Carlisle as a stepping stone to better things.

Manager Collins was disappointed with another poor defensive performance and said: “ We’ve conceded nine goals this season and seven have come from set pieces. That is our achilles heal, we are just switching off. Either the players don’t have the concentration levels to perform at this level or the communication between them on the park is wrong. At least we’re not being torn to shreds by teams and being battered two and three nothing, so it’s something we can sort out. I feel a bit sorry for the lads, they’re working extremely hard and getting nothing out of it. But they will get their just rewards and we’ll add a couple more players to the squad.”

Carlisle thought they had opened the scoring after seven minutes when Foran headed home an Elliott cross, only for the linesman to flag that the cross had drifted out of play.

Carlisle then paid the penalty for loss of concentration as Rochdale won the game in the space of sixty seconds.

An eleventh minute Tony Ford cross found the unmarked Michael Oliver, who picked his spot with a powerful header. Then Kieren Durkin’s left wing free kick was swept home with consummate ease by Clive Platt.

Mark Birch and Steve Halliday went close for the Cumbrians before they had strong penalty appeals turned down when Ford appeared to handle in the Rochdale box.

On 33 minutes Carlisle had to thank Luke Weaver following a stunning point blank save from Ford’s header and then saving the follow up shot from Gary Jones.

In injury time Sean McAuley came to Rochdale’s rescue with a goal line clearance from fellow defender Wayne Evans’ miscued clearance.

Midway through the second half the impressive Foran hit a post with a turn and shot and then became provider when he flicked on a long Mark Birch ball for substitute Jonny Allen to rifle a low shot passed Dale keeper Matthew Gilkes for a consolation goal for the Cumbrians.

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