Supersub Derek Asamoah broke his three-month barren spell – after urging Keith Curle to pick him more often for Carlisle United.

The veteran’s dramatic winner at Morecambe, which kick-started the Blues’ play-off push, came in a week when he had poured his frustration out to manager Curle.

Asamoah’s 85th minute strike was his first in 16 games and triggered jubilant celebrations among Carlisle’s 1,454 fans in Lancashire.

The Ghana frontman had only been on the pitch for six minutes.

And Curle said: “Derek came to see me last week – he said he was frustrated because of his game time.

“I said ‘Derek, I fully understand it, you will get more and more game time as the season develops.'

“As and when – that’s my job. But I know I’ve got a very good player, a very committed professional, and contributions like that give me another reminder of what he can do, even though you wont find a bigger Derek Asamoah fan than myself.”

United’s late fightback, which saw Asamoah score two minutes after Charlie Wyke’s penalty leveller, kept Curle’s side in the hunt for the top seven.

The Blues now face a big double-header at home to Leyton Orient tomorrow and leaders Northampton next weekend.

Curle said the bumper away support at the Globe Arena played a big part in helping his team turn the tables on Jim Bentley’s side.

He said: “They were phenomenal and it was fitting we were playing towards our fans in the second half – they were sucking that ball into the net.

“Even when 1-0 down at half-time, the supporters were with us and stayed with us.

“I’m a very proud person, both of my profession and also to be manager of Carlisle United. There’s a journey for this club to go on and I’m desperate to be a part of it.”

Curle said he would be reassessing United’s pre-match preparation, including rest days, after the Blues started Saturday’s game off the pace.

Kevin Ellison’s goal capped a dominant first-half Morecambe display before the Blues fought back.

Curle added: “Some sacrifices are going to be needed. We don’t want to start games flat-footed.”

He was forced into a half-time change with Brandon Comley suffering an ankle injury that could see the loan midfielder facing a lay-off.

Comley looks likely to miss tomorrow’s game with Curle saying the injury needs time to settle before being fully assessed.

But the manager’s tactical changes, including Luke Joyce's introduction from the bench, contributed to the turnaround, and Curle said: “We found a better shape and that’s giving credit to Morecambe.

“But it shows we are flexible and adaptable, are tactically aware of how to change games and have people on the bench who can change games."

Morecambe boss Bentley felt the game turned on ref Darren Drysdale's "ridiculous" decision to award a penalty for Aaron McGowan's foul on Wyke.

But Curle said the Lincolnshire official got the decision right.