By Jon Colman

Last updated at 12:10, Tuesday, 29 April 2008

Few footballers forget their debuts, and the grim circumstances of Darren Campion’s introduction to the Carlisle United first team means he’ll be able to summon the memory quite easily in years to come.

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As United’s defence was deprived of Danny Livesey, sent off amid Saturday’s 3-0 hiding at Millwall, Campion was summoned from the bench to try to plug a back line which was leaking heavily.

It was the first time the former Birmingham City youngster had featured in Carlisle’s matchday squad of 16 and the 20-year-old admits his landmark day could have gone better.

Now, with Livesey and David Raven both banned, and Paul Reid likely to still be missing through injury for the final game of the season against Bournemouth this weekend, Campion could be needed from the start for a match where the stakes could scarcely be higher.

“I’m happy for myself that I’ve made my debut, but obviously I’d rather it hadn’t happened in those circumstances,” said Campion, whose consistent form for the reserves convinced boss John Ward to promote him to the first-team picture.

“From the start it didn’t look like we were at the races. We were on the back foot early and Keiren Westwood made a few great saves. It went from bad to worse with Livesey’s sending-off.

“When I went on, the team performance had to improve and we had to kick on again even though we were 2-0 down at the time. I wanted to do well for myself as well, to let the gaffer know that I’m there.”

The young defender’s wholehearted effort in Saturday’s closing stages was one of painfully few reasons to be optimistic about what happened at The Den. Campion joined United early this season after impressing on trial during Greg Abbott's caretaker reign, and admits he is finally settled at Brunton Park after some difficult early days.

“When I first joined I had some family problems at home, but the gaffer was really good to me,” he said. “He gave me time off when I needed it and I’ve settled down now. I feel my football’s coming together again and a lot of that’s to do with the gaffer.

“He helped me a lot and I appreciate it because I needed that support. I’ve got a year’s contract for next season and I just want to be playing and hopefully earn another one.”

It is the short-term, however - and United’s wobbling promotion bid - which is at the forefront of the young Brummie’s mind just now.

Saturday's defeat, their third in a row, saw the Cumbrians crash out of the automatic promotion places and down to fourth. To climb back into second place they must beat the in-form Cherries and hope neither Doncaster nor Nottingham Forest beat Cheltenham and Yeovil respectively.

“We’ve had a knock back and the pressure’s back on us - we’ve just got to hope we can come through it next week,” said Campion, who joined Carlisle as a left-back but is now operating predominantly as a centre-half.

“After the game we were saying in the changing room that we know what this feeling’s like, and don’t let it happen again.

“We’ve just got to pick ourselves up again. We’ve still got a chance, whether it’s in the playoffs or automatic. We know what we expect from each other and that wasn’t good enough at Millwall.

“If I’m in the team against Bournemouth I’ll give 100 per cent as will all the other players, and hopefully we’ll win and give ourselves a chance.”

He added: “It doesn’t bother me which position I’m playing in, but centre-half is where the chance is at the moment, so I want to grab it with both hands.”

First published at 11:36, Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk