It was the third time this season that the Cumbrians have climbed off the bottom of the table with a home win. Goals from Steve Soley, Ian Stevens and Phil Hadland clinched the points at Brunton Park in front of 2,702.

Scunthorpe wasted several good chances in the first half but Carlisle, on a rare day when they were deadly in front of goal, managed three goals in a match for the first time since November 11, 2000.

"It has been a tough week for everyone and the lads understand the situation and how we are trying to improve the club," said Collins.

"I know the script and I knew what needed to be done and what needed to be done quickly. Now everyone knows what is going on and hopefully that is a watershed."

He even had words of praise for under-fire directors Mark Knighton and Andrea Whittaker.

"Mark and Andrea, for all the stick they have taken, have been really good and they are trying to get money available for me. There is always a marker and a turning point in a season. I had to stand up and be counted and let people know," he added.

Collins was also forced to admit that Ian Stevens - who was one of several players he had previously frozen out of the team and placed on the transfer list - had made all the difference with his movement up front.

"He was a threat in the box and he occupies people," said Collins.

Fans march on Brunton

Over 300 fans turned out on Saturday to make a very colourful and vocal protest against United's discredited owner, Michael Knighton.

The supporters, marching behind a large banner bearing the name of the Carlisle & Cumbria United Independent Supporters' Trust (CCUIST) made their way from the Sands Centre car park, under Hardwicke Circus, along Lowther Street and then down Warwick Road to Brunton Park.

Once there, they marched around the ground, stopping by the front entrance to make their presence felt as players and officials looked out of the windows.

March organiser Alan Steel, secretary of CCUIST, said he was delighted with the response and pledged to continue the protests until Knighton sold the club.

"This has been excellent," he said. "Hundreds of fans have joined in. If this march doesn't work, then there will be another and another."

69-year-old fan Alan Percival from Willow Park in Carlisle was typical of many of the participants in the march in that he no longer attends home games.

"The supporters are very disenchanted with the way the club is being run," he said. "The club has no future under the current management."

The march on its way past the East Stand

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