Carlisle United boss John Ward admitted he was surprised with the way Crewe set themselves in such an attacking way in Saturday's open game at Brunton Park. The home side eventually ran out 4-2 winners in an entertaining game - a result which saw the Cumbrians move to the top of the table and Crewe slip to the bottom. Still it is very early days.

After the game, John Ward told the press: "We're OK playing open football though.I don't think that too many teams will open up against us here at Brunton Park. Crewe surprised me a little bit in the way that they did, but didn't worry me in the way that they did.

"I felt that if we could get enough of the ball at the top end of the pitch then we have got threat, and so it proved.

"He (Ben Williams) has had a couple of little moments but you can't name me a player on the pitch that hasn't made a little mistake or two. So we'll work at that, we've got Dave Timmins in to work with him on a daily basis, him and the other goalkeepers, so we're fine with everything.

"Danny Graham was at his best, attacking the ball in the box when it is coming from wide, and I am really delighted for him. We said last week that the first player to congratulate Danny Carlton was Danny Graham and today it is the opposite.

He added: "Danny Graham has got the plaudits for the goals and Carlton has worked his socks off in a team win, and that is the important factor of it."