Two of the young players released by Carlisle United this summer helped Annan Athletic to a cup victory on their debuts.

Charlie Barnes and Charlie Birch both went straight into Peter Murphy's side for their Premier Sports Cup clash at Airdrieonians.

And they contributed to a 1-1 draw which was followed by a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win, with Birch among the successful takers.

Deals for the young playes were announced by the Galabank club ahead of the new Scottish campaign - with ex-United and Gretna keeper Greg Fleming also signing for Murphy's side and taking a role on the bench today.

Both 19-year-olds were available as free agents after being among five first-year pros not retained by the Cumbrians at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Brunton Park legend Murphy has now moved to add the young players to his Scottish League Two squad.

Birch and Barnes were in the professional ranks under Chris Beech at Carlisle last season after coming through the youth system.

They spent a spell on loan at Kendal Town but that was cut short when Covid-19 curtailed the non-league game.

Left-sided Birch, son of ex-United defender and current Under-18s boss Mark Birch, has one senior Blues appearance to his name, against Colchester in December 2019.

Right-back Barnes impressed for the Cumbrians' youth team but did not make a professional outing.

Annan led today's game through a Tony Wallace penalty before a last-minute Airdrie reply sent the game to spot-kicks.

Aidan Smith, Iain Anderson, Birch, Carlisle-born Owen Moxon and Tony Wallace were all successful for Murphy's side, with Calum Gallagher's effort for Airdrie saved by Ryan Adamson. Ex-Blues defenders Steven Swinglehurst and Matty Douglas were also in the Annan side with former United youth player Roan Steele on the bench.

Another of the teenagers released by the Cumbrians, Jamie Armstrong, faced a United youth team this week for Gretna 2008 - scoring for the visitors in a 2-2 friendly draw at Creighton.

The other two players let go by the Blues from the first-year pro ranks were Liam Lightfoot and Tom Wilson, the former having trained with Workington in pre-season.