Carlisle United will take plenty from a demanding first friendly of the summer at Annan Athletic, says assistant boss Gavin Skelton.
The Blues had to stage a late comeback to win 2-1 against Peter Murphy’s game at Galabank.
It proved a competitive first pre-season outing on a night when Sam Lavelle made his first Carlisle appearances.
Trialists Dan Langley and Stephen Walker, who hit the winner after Jack Armer’s equaliser, also featured.
Skelton conceded that Annan, who led early on through ex-Blues man Josh Galloway, were the better side in the first half before United improved with a different XI after the break.
Paul Simpson’s No2 said: “It was a really good game – really competitive. It wasn’t tippy-tappy.
“Annan are quite far on [in their pre-season], so they wanted that competitive edge, and they deserved to be in front first half.
“In the second half we performed a lot better, created a lot of opportunities. It was one of those nights when you think it’s not going to go our way but it’s much easier to stand here with a 2-1 victory.”
Skelton said Murphy’s side gave Carlisle problems in the first half with former United midfielder Josh Dixon impressing in midfield.
Later, ex-Blues keeper Greg Fleming superbly kept his old club at bay before United finally broke Annan’s resistance.
“You could feel it coming,” said Skelton of Carlisle’s late goals. “It’s easy to say that when you’ve won but I thought we showed more energy, we were higher up the pitch, condensed the game, won it higher up, and when people are making runs into the box, things happen.
“There were definitely a few aspects that were pleasing, and a few aspects we’re going to need to look at.”
Skelton was pleased former Charlton Athletic defender Lavelle got his first taste of action in a blue shirt just hours after signing a two-year deal at Brunton Park.
He said the 26-year-old had not even met his new team-mates before going into action at Galabank.
“He came into the ground, did his medical, played tonight and is going back to London this weekend to sort some things out,” said Skelton.
“Most of the lads have probably played against him or know of him, and it’s a chance for him to have a [first] look at us as well.
“It’s good both ways and the sooner he can get into training fully with us the better.”
Lavelle’s fellow new signing, Dylan McGeouch, was not involved in the game and instead trained at Brunton Park.
Skelton did not rule out the former Celtic man from getting an outing in United’s next friendly at Gretna 2008 next Tuesday, while he said the two trialists involved last night – with another also still with the club – would continue training with the squad.
And on Murphy’s newly-promoted hosts, the Carlisle assistant said: “Annan were excellent.
“Teams won’t look forward to coming here. They’ve got a really good core group of players, and all credit to them.
“It was a really tough workout for us and hopefully them.”
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