Goal hero Shaun Miller hopes one of the finest strikes of his career will help trigger an improved spell for Carlisle United.

The striker's stunning late effort against Barnet, hailed League Two's goal of the day, helped avoid a third straight defeat.

Miller said the spectacular volley was right up there among the best he has ever scored.

But the frontman says it is more important that United now build on their late fightback against the Bees.

Miller said: "I scored a good volley for Morecambe that will always be ranked up there - but this one will certainly be in the top few as well.

"It just popped up nice and I thought, why not? Time was getting on, and we needed something.

"I was delighted to see it go over the keeper's head. It gave everyone a bit of a boost.

"But it didn't matter who scored or how it went in. It was just a relief to everyone - and we've just got to try and build on that.

"As the game went on we were dominating, and hopefully it will give us some confidence going into the next few games."

Miller conceded Carlisle's recent form has been disappointing, particularly back-to-back away defeats at Accrington and Coventry last week.

"We know a 3-0 and a 2-0 defeat is not great, we know everyone feels it, so it's nice to stem those defeats," he said.

"Saturday is a game we should have won but we'll take a point, work on that and hopefully turn that into three next week.

"It hasn't gone the way we wanted as yet but a few quick-fire wins can soon change the mood of any football club and certainly the position in the table.

"We feel we've been getting punished for every mistake or slightly misplaced pass in the last few games.

"All we can do now is build on the way we finished Saturday's game and try and improve."

Miller said that manager Keith Curle has told the squad that he will take all the flak from critics, leaving the players to focus on the job in hand.

"He's told us he's doing that, and he wants us to concentrate purely on the football side of things and not anything else, because that’s all we can affect," Miller said.

"If we do our jobs, the feel of the place will all improve. That’s what everybody wants, fans and players."

Miller is also targeting a run in the side with Saturday having been the first time this season he has started two games in succession.

He is also looking forward to this weekend's showdown with former club Crewe, where he could face former Blues team-mate Michael Raynes.

"It would be nice to see him chasing me as I'm through on goal," Miller said.

"I'll look forward to seeing him and hopefully we can get the win."

United are in action this afternoon in the reserve team Central League Cup when they take on Morecambe at Penrith's Frenchfield Park (kick-off 1pm).

The Blues have not yet confirmed the strength of the side they will be fielding for the first of their first-round round robin ties. Entry is £2 adults, £1 concessions