Confident Cumbrians aiming high

JABO IBEHRE

CARLISLE will have few fears of taking on higher-level opposition tonight, as the nearly men of an epic penalty shoot-out get stuck into another knock-out competition.

A goal five minutes into added time by ex-Athletic midfield man Mike Jones made it 1-1 at Derby in last week's EFL Cup second-round tie, taking the contest against the Championship club into extra time.

No further addition to the score line meant a penalty shoot-out ensued. It was a real nail biter, with Derby ultimately going through 14-13.

Joe McKee was the unfortunate fall guy for Carlisle, failing from the spot before Timi Max Elsnik sealed victory in sudden-death.

The former Greenock Morton midfielder was determined not to let the disappointment linger, though, at a club who fancy themselves to trouble the top six in Sky Bet League Two.

'DISTANCE'

"For the most part I enjoyed the game," said McKee.

"There are not many teams who'll go to Derby and take them that distance. There's no reason why we can't play against teams like that week in, week out, because Carlisle is a big club and that's what we should be aiming for.

"It shows there are big things coming for us. It's a case of sticking together."

An unbeaten start in Sky Bet League Two has brought two victories and three draws so far, with the latest outing seeing a 1-0 victory pocketed at Barnet thanks to Jabo Ibehre's first goal of the season, which moved the club up to sixth.

This is the Us' third campaign in League Two following relegation. In 2014-15, they finished 20th. In 2015-16 they ended up 10th.

Keith Curle took over from Graham Kavanagh following a slow start to their first campaign back in the basement division and has overseen some improvement in that time.

Last season, they were forced to contend with Brunton Park being flooded - a natural disaster for the surrounding area that saw players dressed in waterproofs out helping in the community. Carlisle used Blackburn, Preston and Blackpool as temporary home venues while repairs were carried out.

PLAYER GUIDE . . .

The key man in terms of Carlisle's ambitions this season is Nicky Adams. The clever, tricky former Rochdale winger moved from Northampton in the summer, having previously helped Bury to promotion.

Up front, there is plenty of power in the large shape of ex-Athletic loan man Ibehre, who scored 17 goals last season, with strike partner Charlie Wyke not far behind with 15.

Carlisle have added Shaun Miller - scorer of 16 at Morecambe last term - to a potent mix of forwards. As well as Jones, former York skipper Russell Penn has added to competition for places in midfield.

HEAD TO HEAD . . .

Athletic 27 wins, 20 draws, 31 defeats.

LAST MEETING . . .

Saturday, April 26, 2014: Carlisle 0, Athletic 1 (James Dayton 70)

TACTICS BOARD . . .

Carlisle play with a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Jamie Devitt operating in a floating role behind target man Ibehre. Two tricky wide men, Adams and former Mansfield winger Reggie Lambe, will probe on the wings, with Jones adding thrust from central midfield.

LINE-UP . . . 4-4-1-1

Gillespie, Miller, Raynes, Gillesphey, Grainger, Lambe, Joyce, Jones, Adams, Devitt; Ibehre.