Gavin Skelton hopes Zach Clough’s set-piece threat can give Carlisle United a major new asset in the 2021/22 season.

The star summer signing displayed his dead-ball skills with a fine free-kick goal against FC Halifax Town.

Clough, who almost repeated the feat in the second half, has long had a reputation as a set-piece expert dating back to his time at Bolton.

The 26-year-old can add a significant threat in that department for the Blues, No2 Skelton says.

“They practice it relentlessly after training, so it’s nice Zach did that” said Skelton of Clough’s goal.

“With good players, it doesn’t surprise you that they’re doing that.

“With Zach, that can give us another asset, hopefully, with set-pieces near the box – it gives us another opportunity when we get in those areas.

“We were strong from corners last year and hopefully we can be strong from central set-pieces this time.”

Clough has netted six times in United’s pre-season programme, hitting three against Penrith before further strikes at Workington and Chorley ahead of last night.

Skelton believes the sort high standards the former Nottingham Forest player shows in free-kick situations is encouraging other players to step up.

“It’s amazing how when people go up a level, people follow,” he said.

“It’s great to see them going in on the training ground, and you want to start seeing them going in in first team games as they did [last night], and we want to see it in a competitive game.”