Last updated at 12:08, Monday, 26 November 2012

Teenage goal ace Mark Beck was today hailed as Carlisle United’s “hero” by relieved boss Greg Abbott – as the manager insisted the Blues had answered some of their critics.

Mark Beck

Two-goal Beck was the toast of United and their supporters after his deadly finishing at Yeovil eased some of the pressure on Abbott.

The big 18-year-old’s first league goals in the 3-1 victory helped Carlisle to only their second win in 10 outings.

Abbott admitted he had been “pleasantly surprised” by the former youth team striker’s finishing at Huish Park which reduced some of the strain on the Blues boss after a “miserable” week.

Abbott said: “Mark was the hero and deserved a big pat on the back.

“His second in particular was a lovely goal and it was a great time to score.

“Sometimes you don’t know what to expect from the kids, and I didn’t expect to get that off Becky, so I’m pleasantly surprised in the nicest possible way.

“We will now keep his feet firmly on the ground and ask him to keep improving.”

United moved up a place to 18th as top scorer Joe Garner also scored at Yeovil to claim his eighth goal of the season.

Abbott could not hide his delight as his team stopped the rot in the nick of time, to prevent the Blues sinking further into relegation trouble.

The Blues manager said it had been the perfect response to recent criticism – and called on his team to keep proving themselves.

“I know that the club gets a lot of criticism, and so do individuals and groups,” Abbott said.

“I’m my own man, a tough man and a proud man. We are working harder on the training ground and my back is right up because I want to prove everybody wrong, and prove that this is a good club.

“The last four years haven’t been a fluke. That’s a long time.” Abbott insisted his players heads had not dropped during the recent run of poor results.

He is now eyeing further improvement in the FA Cup second round clash with Bournemouth next weekend – a tie which can have huge financial implications for the Blues.

“We said that if we keep working hard and we keep believing in what we are doing then we will get our day,” he added.

“This is a start, for improved performances where confidence will grow, momentum will jump and we will be alright.”

Yeovil’s groundstaff were given a pre-match ovation by supporters, including Carlisle’s 117 travelling fans, for getting the game on and ensuring it survived the heavy rain which had hit the south-west from Thursday to Saturday.

First published at 12:02, Monday, 26 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk