Carlisle United No2 on Wigan Athletic reserve defeat

The midfielder pushed his case for a first-team call-up with a stunning goal in the Blues’ Central League Cup game at Wigan Athletic.

Harris’s goal was the highlight of a 2-1 defeat at the Latics’ training ground.

It came as the ex-Aldershot Town and Fulham man was walking a tightrope following a first-half booking.

“It was a great strike, and credit to him for showing really good discipline,” said assistant manager Skelton.

“I thought his performance was really improved from last week and that’s credit to him in terms of being disciplined about his positional play and, within the game, doing what was needed not to get sent off after getting the first yellow.

“I’m pleased he got his goal because that caps off a good day for him.”

Skelton, meanwhile, said he hoped the knock that saw defender Ben Barclay substituted early in the second half of the reserve outing was not serious.

• Match report from Blues' reserve game at Wigan

“I think he came off as a precaution because last season and this season he’s had some niggles,” said Skelton.

“Hopefully it’s not too bad but there’s no point in taking a risk with anyone.”

Ben Barclay went off early in the second half (Image: Ben Holmes)

In better news for United, Dylan McGeouch made a 73-minute appearance on his return from a hamstring injury.

Skelton said it was always the intention to substitute the Scot midway through the second half.

“With a hamstring it’s another where you just don’t take risks. You don’t want him to do too much too early and you end up with another tightness injury,” said the coach.

Skelton was pleased with United’s efforts overall against a strong Wigan reserve line-up.

“There were a few performances that stood out,” said Paul Simpson’s No2.

“Last week [at Blackburn] there were one or two good performances – this week there were four or five really good performances. The manager will watch it back and hopefully he’s got a few headaches.”

United conceded twice in quick second-half succession to Chris Sze and Josh Magennis, before Harris pulled one back.

Skelton said: “I thought for the first 60/65 minutes it was a good test for both teams.

“Once we made the changes and we had to move people around, that didn’t help us.

“But we’ve seen a competitive game against good opposition which is very pleasing.

“They had a strong side out and I thought we more than matched them. I asked for a high line in the first half, and we got that, and we saw that from the amount of times we caught them offside. Credit to the back four for their discipline in doing that.

“We’ve talked about our record in the final third and we got into some good areas without making it count, which is disappointing.

“But overall we saw some really good performances. Hopefully everyone will benefit from what was a good game.”

The game was United’s first in Group C of the reserve cup, with first-team players such as Dan Butterworth, Corey Whelan, Jack Ellis, Taylor Charters and Ryan Edmondson all getting 90 minutes.

“It [competitive reserve football] is a really important part of the game but for some reason, these last few years, with development games or whatever you want to call it, it’s kind of lost that kudos,” added Skelton.

“Going back 10 or 15 years it was normal to play a reserve game, but now players look at it as…not a punishment, but they’d rather train.

“The last two weeks we’ve come to good facilities, we’ve played against really strong teams, high quality players, so you definitely benefit from it.”

Skelton, meanwhile, said certain players not involved in the game had trained at Brunton Park on Tuesday morning.

Despite not figuring in the first-team squad at Port Vale on Saturday, Joe Garner did not travel with the reserves, while new signing Terry Ablade did not feature.

Joe Garner trained in Carlisle rather than feature in the reserve game, Gavin Skelton saidame (Image: Ben Holmes)

“They were training back at Carlisle today,” said Skelton after the game.

“It’s important for Terry because he came last week, played a reserve game and he hadn’t had too much time with the whole group.

“It was important for him to get used to training and to the lads.

“Joe Garner played [at Blackburn] last week and we felt that Edmo needed a game, so that was all that was.”

Skelton, meanwhile, would not be drawn on United’s ongoing efforts in the transfer market ahead of Friday’s deadline.