Gavin Skelton said Carlisle United’s pre-season win over Everton's Under-23 was a mixed bag of a display.

The assistant boss said the Blues produced some positive football as they won 3-2.

But Skelton also said there are still areas to work on after the behind-closed-doors performance.

Jon Mellish, Lewis Bell and Manasse Mampala hit United’s goals against David Unsworth’s visitors.

Skelton said: “There was some really good stuff, and some stuff that we need to work on, sharpen up and tidy up.

“We’ve had different challenges from the last couple of games and it’s always nice to win.

“Everton are a good side. From speaking to their staff before, they’re quite confident in this group and have a lot of belief in their ability.

“At times we played some good stuff, at times not as good stuff as you’d like, but we got stronger as the game went on.

“Jon Mellish was really good, really tidy on the ball; he’s starting to get back to where he wants to be. It was another where we hit the crossbar and Jon’s on the move to score, which is good – that’s Mellish arriving in the box, that’s pleasing.

“Lewi Bell started Saturday [against Blackpool] and came on against Everton. We’ve asked him to play in different positions. He’s an intelligent footballer, and it was good for him to claim that goal at the back stick.

“He’s a really good footballer but needs that end product, and he’s starting to do that which was pleasing.

“Manny’s was a cracking goal – postage stamp in the top corner.

“It was written for him to score against his old club.”

Skelton said it was a different kind of game to some of United’s previous pre-season outings and that would benefit the squad.

“It’s good for the fitness, because the ball was in play a lot,” he said. “We had balls around the pitch, which kept the tempo in the game.

“They worked hard, their movement’s good, and it gives you different tests. They played two up top which a lot of teams don’t always do, which is good for our centre-halves and full-backs to provide cover.

“They did play out from the back – some teams will do that and we’ll have to deal with that, and sometimes they did go long.

“It was a good mix. They’re bright on the ball, and look to punish you if you make a bad decision.

“In possession of the ball we can be a bit more clinical or more quality at times, which is the thing that let us down at times.”