Last updated at 11:59, Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Debut goal hero Adam Clayton said blasting Carlisle United another step towards Wembley was as good a feeling as playing for England.

Adam Clayton celebrates his goal

The under-20 starlet, on loan from Manchester City, marked his first Blues start with their clinching third goal in their 3-1 win at Chesterfield last night.

Clayton impressed in midfield as Greg Abbott’s side swept into the northern semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, putting them just three matches away from the showpiece final.

And the rookie schemer said his full debut had gone better than he had ever imagined.

“It’s up there along with turning out for England as the best moment of my career so far,” Clayton told News & Star Sport.

“To score a goal and to get the win - I couldn’t ask for more.

“The boys are saying I shanked my goal, but I’m saying I just gave the keeper the eye!

“From playing in the Man City reserves in front of 10 people, to running over to the away end after scoring, is just a brilliant feeling.”

Clayton’s 78th minute strike completed Carlisle’s comeback, after Matty Robson and Peter Murphy had scored in a fine second half performance.

Darren Currie had put the Spireites ahead from the penalty spot in first-half injury-time, after home winger Gregor Robertson had earlier been stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.

But the Blues responded well after the break, and Clayton – who started in place of the rested Graham Kavanagh at Saltergate - is now targeting a run in Abbott’s first team.

“After the Morecambe game on Saturday, the manager rang me and told me I would be starting against Chesterfield,” the Man City man said.

“He just told me to show him what I can do and make my case to stay in the team. Hopefully I’ve done that.

“The team as a whole played some very good football, especially in the second half, and we definitely deserved the win."

United, Leeds, Bradford and Accrington Stanley are the remaining sides in the JPT's northern section and the semi-final draw will take place on Saturday morning.

Last night’s victory saw Carlisle pocket £10,000 in prize money, taking their total winnings from the competition this season to £22,000 to date.

Clayton, meanwhile, is targeting further progress with his new club - and the chance to catch the eye of Eastlands boss Mark Hughes.

“They are a great set of lads here and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.

“I’m here until January 2, and hopefully I can get a few games under my belt and extend the loan even further. It’s a different kind of football to what I am used to - I could cruise through a reserve game for 90 minutes, but after 20 minutes here I was blowing.

“It’s a good test for me and if I can do this, then hopefully I can go on and play in the Championship and then the Premier League.”

He added: “The City reserve team manager was here to watch me - even though he’s jetting off to Abu Dhabi tomorrow - and hopefully I’ve impressed him and he passed the word onto the gaffer.”

First published at 11:35, Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk