Skipper Danny Grainger insists Carlisle United will "benefit" from their pre-season defeat at Barrow - despite failing to score against the National League side.

The Blues went down 1-0 at Holker Street, drawing a blank for the first time in their programme of friendlies.

United - who face Bury tomorrow - were far from their best in south Cumbria as Ross Hannah's early penalty made the difference.

But Grainger is adamant there is much Keith Curle's side can take from their bruising encounter with Paul Cox's big side, for whom ex-Blues favourite Danny Livesey impressed.

Grainger, who conceded the decisive penalty, said: "It was a proper workout and the manager brought us here knowing that.

"With their style of play it gave us a different look at how things will sometimes be in League Two.

"You don't want to lose and that's something that is paramount in the dressing room, so the result is disappointing.

"But championships aren't won in pre-season. We will look back at the game and at how we could have improved on it, and it will benefit us in the long run."

Grainger hit the woodwork in the early stages while Charlie Wyke also struck a post for United - but Barrow could also have easily increased their tally.

The captain, meanwhile, held his hands up over his part in Barrow's winner, Grainger tripping Byron Harrison in the box after miscontrolling a cross.

But the Cumbrian said pre-season was the right time to iron out mistakes.

He said: "For the majority of the time I thought we dealt with [Barrow] - but obviously next time in that situation I'll head the ball rather than bring it down on my chest.

"These things happen and I'd rather do it here than at Portsmouth on the opening day.

"These games are about getting to know how players play together and everybody's going to be chomping at the bit to be right for that first game."

Manager Curle assessed two more trialists in the second half - a goalkeeper and a forward.

United remain without permanent back-up for No1 Mark Gillespie with the new campaign less than two weeks away.

Jabo Ibehre and Shaun Brisley were not at Holker Street, while Curle did not speak to the media after the game.

Grainger, though, says United's games this week - behind-closed-doors at Bury tomorrow afternoon, then Bradford next Saturday - will offer more valuable tests for the new-look Blues.

The defender said: "It's another step up again and it will probably be a different type of test.

"This game was a bit more direct and physical but the next games are probably going to be more about playing football, and how well we can match that in possession of the ball.

"We'll have to adapt, which we're going to have to do all season."

Grainger says United's squad is strong but says getting the right blend will be key.

He added: "There's got to be optimism about what we've brought in - goalscorers, assists, clean sheets - but we've got to make sure we're gelled and ready for that first game of the season.

"That unity is massive. There's no better example than Leicester winning the Premier League - they might not have had the best players but they had the best team spirit.

"It's something we try to create in our dressing room."