CARLISLE United boss Chris Beech was pleased with his side's response after their disappointing draw against Grimsby.

Despite the result at the weekend, Beech named an unchanged starting 11 for his side - and his persistence paid off.

United ran out 3-1 winners against Morecambe last night, recording their first home league win over the Shrimps in the process.

A bizarre own goal by Yann Songo'o in the opening minute, followed quickly by an equally strange goal from Jon Mellish - the converted defender's sixth strike of the season - set the Blues on their way to victory.

Morecambe threatened late on and there was a nervy few moments when Yann Songo'o scored to half the deficit, but man of the match George Tanner curled in a shot from the edge of the box for United's third on 87 minutes.

Speaking after the game, Chris Beech praised his players' response after the 1-1 draw with Grimsby last weekend.

He said: "At Grimsby, the performance wasn't great but we've responded really well.

“If you look back at Saturday, it was a heavy pitch at Grimsby. We've got to be mindful of the wet and the slipperiness of the conditions.

"We have that hunger and ambition, and we represent hunger and ambition.

"People work really hard around town and it's so frustrating that they can't be here and we can't share it with them.

"“There were two formations we thought Morecambe would play, and they went for the second part of what they played on Saturday.

"We’re adaptable in the way our players play, so JJ was wider and Lewi played up top, and that allowed Joe Riley to play in a different position.

"If you get comfortable, you go backwards.

“We matched up in midfield to get a stronghold and all three of those lads are very competitive."

While Tanner took home the man of the match award after his late goal, Beech also singled out two others for praise.

He continued: "I thought Joe Riley was excellent in everything he did and if he hadn’t been booked I wouldn’t have subbed him.

"That was me making sure he’s available for Saturday really.

“Callum Guy was strong and he works really hard.

"I knew all about him and I was amazed when Blackpool let him go. I’m pleased for him but he’s doing what we know he can do."

The result propelled Carlisle up to the heady heights of fourth in the table, and into the play-off spots.

The Blues will go into Saturday's away fixture at seventh placed Exeter full of confidence on the back of a six-game unbeaten run, one point above the home side.