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’ playoff 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 won't 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.