Carlisle United fell to a 4-1 opening-day defeat to Gillingham - how did we rate the players at Priestfield?

HARRY LEWIS - 4

Some routine saves, and used ball fine - but failure to deal with second-minute cross put Blues on back foot straight away, and couldn't be defiant enough with other goals.

AARON HAYDEN - 6

As secure as anyone in the back line, and Hayden tried to be proactive on ball to help Davies get going down right.

TERELL THOMAS - 5

Looked composed for the most part - but, in a game of key moments, he was flawed at the most crucial one as Gillingham scored their second.

JON MELLISH - 7

Did enough defensively in first half then gave Carlisle hope with a trademark raid and a well-taken consolation.

ARCHIE DAVIES - 6

Showed good energy down the right and was keen to give Blues an outlet. A decent debut.

BEN WILLIAMS - 6

Considering how quickly he had to be thrown in, the new signing performed very capably until tiring late on, when he was comprehensively beaten by Nolan for the killer third.

BEN BARCLAY - 5

Midfield experiment looked ok in first half, but less so as it went on and hosts capitalised on the Blues' flat-footedness.

HARRISON NEAL - 5

Got stuck in, as he always does, and tried to keep the ball moving, but nor did he put a serious stamp on the game.

JOSH VELA - 6

Midfielder was key to Carlisle's press, forced some good positions and probably should have had a penalty, less impactful after break.

CHARLIE WYKE - 5

Wyke looked to lead the line and give the Blues a platform, but has been signed for his goals and missed a cast-iron chance at a key moment.

DAN ADU-ADJEI - 6

Competed well alongside Wyke and didn't stop chasing, but ran out of steam.

Subs: Dan Butterworth - 5 - Close with free-kick but otherwise ineffective.

Jack Ellis - 6 - Goalline clearance and battled well in vain.

Georgie Kelly - 6 - Too late to make any mark.

Luke Armstrong - 6 - Ditto.

Star man - Jon Mellish - As energetic as ever and, when the game was drifting, gave Carlisle hope even if it was in a futile cause.