Carlisle Utd 4 Fleetwood Town 2: Carlisle United earned a club record eighth consecutive victory as they saw off Fleetwood in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And further history was made in the controversial competition as Danny Grainger equalled a record by scoring in his sixth successive appearance.

There was also a first senior goal from teenager Cameron Salkeld as Keith Curle's United topped northern group D to progress to the second round.

Yet their feats were watched by only 1,420 fans - just 22 from Fleetwood - as many again stayed away from the revamped Trophy in protest at its involvement of Under-21 clubs from the top two divisions.

On his full debut, midfielder Joe McKee confidently finished a low Grainger cross at the Waterworks End in the 14th minute.

Frotman Charlie Wyke headed a Reggie Lambe cross past keeper Alex Cairns five minutes later.

Grainger then stepped up to slot home from the spot after Lambe had been fouled in the box shortly before the break.

The Cumbrian captain's sixth straight goal saw him equal the feats of former players Jimmy McConnell, Hugh Fletcher, Hugh McIlmoyle and Ian Stevens.

Max Crocombe saved well from sub Dion Charles while Derek Asamoah went close at the other end, Jamie Devitt then hitting the bar shortly before half-time.

Fleetwood rallied after the break, with sub Jack Sowerby and Alex Jakubiak pulling goals back.

But then 17-year-old sub Salkeld increased United's lead with a confident finish on 73 minutes for his first senior goal as he linked with fellow youth-team player Jordan Holt, who had come on for his debut.

Not included in the squad were Jason Kennedy, Michael Raynes and Mike Jones, while dropping to the bench were Mark Gillespie, Nicky Adams and Jabo Ibehre as Curle made six changes to his starting line-up.

Derek Asamoah was handed a first start since he returned to the club, with Max Crocombe, Jamie Devitt and Macaulay Gillesphey also in the side.

Visiting boss Uwe Rosler, meanwhile, risked a fine by making 11 changes to his starting line-up.

Carlisle will be guaranteed a home tie in the regionalised second round draw at 10.30am on Thursday.

Their third straight victory in the competition also earns them £10,000 in prize money.

Their eight-in-a-row feat, meanwhile, beats the seven straight wins in all competitions last enjoyed by United's 1996/7 side.

United: Crocombe, Ellis (T Miller 53), Grainger, Gillesphey, Brisley, McKee, Joyce (Salkeld 46), Lambe, Devitt, Wyke (Holt 63), Asamoah. Subs: Gillespie, Adams, Ibehre, S Miller.

Fleetwood: Cairns, Nirennold, Davis, Eastham, Wallace, Glendon, Roberts, Osborne (Sowerby 46) Jakubiak, Holloway, Woolford (Charles 8, Deacon 76). Not used: Urwin, Nadeson, Dunbar, Sheron.