Carlisle United scored so quickly at Morecambe it was almost as if they had a point to prove. Thirty-two seconds into their first game after the Lincoln debacle, they were back onto a positive footing.

The opening goal at the Globe Arena was welcome in different ways. It said there was no hangover from Sincil Bank, where Keith Curle had carried out a long inquest and wondered whether his players had "needed" to win quite enough.

It also got Hallam Hope off and running as a United goalscorer, seven games into his permanent Carlisle career.

On that basis, it barely mattered that it came in the Checkatrade Trophy, or that only 1,228 people were there to see it.

A goal's a goal, especially to a centre-forward trying to make his way; not least one pursued with great keenness by United's manager this summer.

In these early weeks of the campaign, which have brought some bright performances amid a couple of iffy defeats, Hope's finish was just the second of United's 12 goals to be scored by a striker.

Shaun Miller got the other, at Fleetwood. Otherwise, midfielders and defenders have been doing the August scoring. Winger Reggie Lambe has been the most deadly so far, with three.

Managers, supporters and team will naturally take them from any source. Sharing them around is a good habit to find. But if this season is to have substance at United the frontrunners of Hope, Miller, Richie Bennett and Sam Cosgrove will need to contribute well.

Hope, then, can be glad he has got started. "It's obviously really important for me to get off the mark," he said. "It was a good set from Shaun and I put it away.

"I want to try and get a run going now, and hopefully I can do that on Saturday if the manager picks me."

Hope felt Tuesday's goal was probably the earliest he has ever scored in a game. It allowed him to stake a claim for further selection in a hotly-debated area of Carlisle's team.

There are many supporters who feel Miller, who impressed on Tuesday without scoring himself, deserves more opportunities after shining in pre-season. Bennett, stepping up from Barrow, is Curle's go-to target-man, with former trialist Cosgrove currently a deputy.

The best combination, and the best formation, is also up for argument, and where Curle goes against Mansfield will intrigue. In the meantime, they had business to attend to after losing 4-1 at Sincil Bank and Hope confirmed that sorting this out was on their minds in Lancashire.

"That was the way we wanted to start the game, after the disappointing result at the weekend," he said. "We wanted to put it right, and I think we did.

"We all knew Saturday wasn't good enough. It wasn't what we were about and we all know we should be doing better than that. I'm just glad we've produced something better [at Morecambe].

"We had a few good chances throughout the game. I thought we created quite a lot, which was nice, especially for the strikers.

"We have to take that on into the league game against Mansfield on Saturday now, hopefully deliver another performance and get the three points."

Steve Evans' team, with their big summer of recruitment and spending, will certainly set the Blues a test. Yet nor have the Stags come stomping through the division in its very early weeks, taking one win, two draws and a defeat from their opening tests.

A pair of cup defeats have also featured, the latest being Tuesday's 3-1 home reverse against Lincoln in the Trophy.

Evans, though, is seldom becalmed for long, and even if Mansfield have not yet hit their stride there will be a sense of United going up against one of League Two's danger sides in two days' time.

Carlisle have done more good than bad so far themselves, but Hope realises that a more reliable string of results would now help the Blues head towards autumn in good, season-defining shape.

"It's just about getting points on the board now, and getting a run of consistent form together," the 23-year-old said.

"I'm enjoying things so far. It's obviously a great set of lads, good management staff and there is good competition in every position, everyone wanting to play every game.

"I do feel there's a lot more to come from myself. It's early in the season, with a lot of games left, and I'm looking to progress now."

Whether Curle can add anyone else to this mix will be determined today, as the summer transfer deadline comes at 11pm. While United try to push on, Hope insists he will not be glued to the traditional Sky Sports shout-fest as the clock ticks down.

"It's just a case of whatever comes in, comes in," the striker added. "We've got a good squad of players and we all know our own qualities. Anyone who comes in could only help that."