He openly admits that the last seven days have given him the worst pressure he has endured in his three years in management.

His heart felt plea to the players to go and “do it for me” did not fall on deaf ears as his troops raised their game to give him the perfect vote of confidence, with a much improved performance, and three points as icing on the cake.

A relieved Collins said after the game: “A good performance with some good football played, a clean sheet and three points. But more than anything the determination and grit and willingness to do it for me. I asked the players to do it for me because I was getting a bit concerned by the media coverage this week and I was under pressure. So I said to the boys to do this one for me because the local media are trying to turn the supporters against me. I am working really hard here and the players are responding. Today was a watershed for me as a manager. On a couple of occasions, I have gone into the dressing room and wondered if the players maybe don’t believe in me, maybe don’t believe in themselves. I put my heart on the table today and they responded and respected me and I will never let those players down”

Steve Halliday, who has found a new lease of life under Collins, gave the Cumbrians the perfect start with only ten minutes gone. Peter Murphy robbed Nathan Ellington midway in the Rovers half before releasing Mark Winstanley down the left. The fullbacks near post cross was tucked away neatly by Halliday, who had stolen half a yard on his marker.

Richie Foran then headed over from a Mark Birch cross and Murphy tested Scott Howie in the Rovers goal from 20 yards.

As Carlisle dominated Halliday and Foran both spurned good heading chances with Rovers only real chance coming from a Simon Bryant free kick, dealt with competently by Peter Keen.

On 52 minutes Brendan McGill had the opportunity to extend the Cumbrians lead. A lovely Foran through ball left the loan signing from Sunderland clear but Howie came out to make a good one on one save.

Mark Birch then had Howie at full stretch with a cross cum shot before Foran failed with another heading opportunity from McGill’s cross.

The introduction of former international Mark Walters, with twenty minutes remaining, gave Rovers a spark of hope. The ex England man’s cross provided Nathan Ellington with a good chance but the big striker rattled his shot passed Keen’s right hand post.

Foran had two late opportunities to wrap things up but squandered good chances after being put clear by Murphy and Steve Soley.

Carlisle hearts then had to endure a little late pressure with Walters going closest, shooting wide from a good position after good work from Ellington.

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