Jamie Devitt has called on Carlisle United not to spoil their excellent midweek cup showing by flopping at Barnet today.

The creative midfielder says the Blues cannot afford to let their standards slip when they return to league action (The Hive, 3pm).

Devitt believes Carlisle must emulate their bright performance at Derby in order to prove they can be serious promotion contenders.

The former Morecambe man said: "The biggest thing for us [after Tuesday] is going to Barnet, putting in another performance and getting three points.

"We can't go to a place like Derby, play really well and then go to Barnet and not show up.

"Tuesday was a nice distraction but we had to move on as quickly as possible and get ready for this game, because that's what we need to do - get promoted this season."

United will put their unbeaten league form on the line against a Bees side who have made a similar start to the League Two campaign.

Devitt is hoping to make only his second league start for the Cumbrians since his summer move.

The Dubliner insists Keith Curle's side can take plenty away from their EFL Cup exertions even though it ended in a record-breaking 14-13 penalty shoot-out defeat.

Devitt added: "I've been involved in a few penalty shoot-outs but never as long as that.

"It was disappointing, a horrible way to lose, but we can be proud of ourselves - we took one of the best teams in the Championship all the way, and at times I don't think you could tell which team was from the Championship and which was League Two.

"I was really disappointed not to score during the game - I had a good chance and I'm kicking myself for that. But you can't dwell on it too much because the games come thick and fast.

"The way we played shows how we are as a squad. After the first half of extra-time we talked back to our time at Cassius Camps - how tough that was, running up a hill with someone on your back.

"That's the way it feels sometimes in the second half of extra-time, but we know we can get through it.

"Now at Barnet we will have a game plan and stick to it. It doesn't matter if we go down there and 92 minutes don't go for us but we score in the last minute and get three points. That's all that matters to us."

Devitt admits his controversial red card at Portsmouth on the opening day was far from an ideal start to life with the Blues, but now he is looking up.

The 26-year-old said: "Portsmouth was very frustrating and I still don't think it [the red card] was deserved.

"But that's gone now and hopefully I've come back into the manager's thoughts a little bit more.

"Last weekend the gaffer was talking about how many games the lads on the bench had played - it added up to about 1,200 appearances, and all of us were starters last season.

"It is tough for us all, but the seven on the bench on Saturday could all be in the team in a month's time.

"We all need to stick together and if we get promoted it will be as a squad, not as an XI."