Former Carlisle United men in Bolton Wanderers Wembley glory

They helped Bolton Wanderers win the Papa John's Trophy at the national stadium on Sunday.

Maryport midfielder Dempsey scored the opening goal in a starring performance for the Trotters in their 4-0 win against Plymouth Argyle.

And Greysouthen goalkeeper Trafford, on loan from Manchester City, kept a clean sheet to cap a memorable first appearance at the national stadium.

Both former Carlisle United academy products got their hands on the silverware after the emphatic victory in front of a 79,389 crowd.

Kyle Dempsey heads Bolton's opening goal against Plymouth (Image: PA)

And there was a further ex-Carlisle factor in Bolton's win as former Blues defender Gethin Jones also got on the scoresheet for the winners.

Dempsey headed Bolton's opening goal after just four minutes.

The Cumbrian then unselfishly set up Dion Charles doubled Bolton's lead before the break.

England Under-21 keeper Trafford, 20, impressively then denied Plymouth's Ryan Hardie, before Elias Kachunga made it 3-0 early in the second half.

Jones then headed home after the hour mark to seal a memorable win for the Whites - with Dempsey, 27, named man of the match.

Celebrations with Gethin Jones, second right, after his goal for Bolton at Wembley (Image: PA)

Dempsey, speaking to Sky and the BBC after the game, said: "As a kid, you dream of scoring at Wembley.

"The way we started the game was absolutely superb. To score and set Dion up…I was buzzing all game.

“If I'm being critical, I could have had a hat-trick - but I'll take the goal and the assist."

It meant disappointment for the ex-Carlisle contingent in the Plymouth ranks.

They are managed by former Blues loan midfielder Steven Schumacher, while ex-United defender Macaulay Gillesphey was in the Argyle side and former Carlisle striker Sam Cosgrove a half-time substitute.

The attendance was the biggest of any game in Europe this weekend.

It capped the seventh season of the lower-league competition since its controversial inclusion of Premier League Under-21 clubs.

No top-flight academy side has yet reached the final, while many lower-league fans have boycotted games over the Premier League's involvement.

Dempsey's starring role in the final came at a time he is awaiting sentencing for assault over an incident in Maryport last July. Dempsey and his father Michael will give evidence before a judge ahead of sentencing. The trial of issue hearing is due to take place at Carlisle Crown Court on April 11.