Teenage Carlisle United striker Sam Fishburn made an excellent start to his Lancaster City loan spell – and was hailed as a “breath of fresh air” by his manager.

The 17-year-old scored twice to help the Dolly Blues to a 3-2 win at Witton Albion.

It came hours after Fishburn joined the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit on a youth loan deal until January.

Lancaster boss Mark Fell was full of praise for the way the Blues youth product acquitted himself against Witton defenders who included the vastly experienced Steve McNulty.

Fell, speaking after last night’s game, said: “We got [the deal] over the line really late, and our thanks go to Chris Beech and Gavin Skelton at Carlisle.

“He [Fishburn] has been in and around the first team and he’s a very talented young man.

“There’s an element of risk about it – I’ve seen him play on videos but never in the flesh, but needs must. We had to go to the black book, pull in some favours, speak to some contacts and get him in to the side.

“He’s come in tonight and he’s been breath of fresh air. He’s played against two or three centre-halves at this level, one who’s played hundreds of games [McNulty], and he should have had three.

“But the timing of his goals was excellent and his finishes were fantastic.”

Fishburn netted in the 29th minute to put Lancaster 2-0 up when he picked up a poor home clearance and fired home.

After Witton pulled one back, Fishburn restored the visitors’ two-goal advantage with a strike on the break.

Lancaster held on for the points despite a late Witton second from ex-Carlisle player James Hooper.

Fell added: “He [Fishburn] is a 17-year-old boy, but he’s been a man tonight. That’s what we asked him to do.

“He had some good foils, but I can’t praise that young man enough. The key now is to have that consistency.”

United boss Chris Beech said he looked forward to seeing how Fishburn performs against the kind of opponents he faced last night.

“I want him scoring goals against men,” the Blues head coach said. “You saw him struggle a little bit against Bournemouth and when he’s come on in pre-season when we’ve played good opposition.

“I was so happy [that he’s faced someone like McNulty]. I hope he was pulling him, tagging him, standing on his toes, roughing him up…but I’m so happy he’s scored, and so happy for Lancaster that he’s done it.”