Gavin Skelton says Tristan Abrahams will have received an instant confidence boost by his goalscoring start to life with Carlisle United.

The new striker added two goals at Hebburn to his debut effort at Penrith last Tuesday.

The 2-0 win in the north-east came on a day Zach Clough was also taking his pre-season tally to four with the opener in the 3-0 win at Workington Reds.

United’s new frontmen have wasted little time in finding the net and Skelton, who took the team at Hebburn, said of Abrahams: “His runs are brilliant.

“Hopefully when those runs and combinations start we’ll see them more often.

“But his runs were really good. He got another couple of goals and he could perhaps have had another two or three on the day.

“That’ll do his confidence the world of good.”

Skelton said United had a worthwhile workout in baking hot weather at Hebburn, with former Newport and Leyton Orient man Abrahams scoring in the first half before adding a penalty after the break.

Chris Beech’s No2 said conditions were not always ideal but said the Blues will take plenty from the pre-season occasion.

“It’s nice to win, and players got more minutes under the belt,” he said

“It was a roasting hot afternoon and the pitch was quite dry, and the game’s tempo wasn’t really at the intensity levels we’d hoped at times, but it’s a good workout, Tristan got two goals, it’s a win and lads got 90 minutes under their belt.

“It was important [to do that] – that’s why it was beneficial to split it so everyone’s getting loads of game time.

“With loads of drinks and injury breaks, the flow of the game never really got going, but it is what it is and they played really well on the day.

“Respect to Hebburn, they had a couple of opportunities, we created numerous and we just needed to take a few more.

“A decent workout. Was it fantastic? Probably not, but a good workout.”

Skelton also praised FA Vase winners Hebburn for the welcome they gave to United and their fans.

“The facilities at Hebburn were excellent. It’s a really good club and they looked after us.

“There was a really good support – the boys commented on how many supporters we brought here. It shows the hunger for football and how desperate our fans are to get back to live action.”

United, meanwhile, have yet to give any indication on the fate of trialists Manasse Mampala and George Sykes-Kenworthy, who both played in the 3-0 win at Workington.

Former Everton and QPR forward Mampala marked his second appearance with a goal.