This week, it was the tale of two cup competitions for Carlisle United as they progressed into the second round of the FA Cup but were then knocked out of the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.

Firstly, well done to everyone involved in Carlisle’s FA Cup 1-0 success at Crewe on Saturday.

From the sounds of things, it wasn’t the nicest of spectacles but the Blues managed to get the win which, really, was all that mattered.

Monday’s second-round draw pitted United against League Two leaders Lincoln.

It was probably not the tie the Cumbrians were looking for, but it’s still a winnable one I feel after Carlisle’s 2-2 draw in the league at Sincil Bank earlier this season. I’m sure United will have a better team than the one they had out on that particular night, with Richie Bennett playing as a makeshift centre-back.

The Imps themselves are capable of shipping a few goals and they left it late in their 3-2 home win over Keith Curle’s Northampton.

Jamie Devitt’s winner against the Railwayman came in fortunate fashion but, for me, that typifies what cup football is all about. In any walk of football, you do need that bit of luck and, now, the goal will be remembered for earning Carlisle £36,000 in prize-money.

As for Devitt, he has now scored three goals since he came back from injury, and he seems to have come back stronger. The Irish midfielder makes a big difference for the Blues, especially when he is in good form.

In terms of Carlisle’s 1-1 draw in the Checkatrade Trophy against Stoke City’s Under-21s, before the Cumbrians then took part in, and lost, a penalty shoot-out that made no difference to either side’s chances of progressing, I’m personally relieved that the Blues are out of that competition.

At Brunton Park for the match, United had their second lowest home crowd in history of 882.

I admire the supporters that went to the game and support their side no matter what the circumstances are. But even if you had a vote between everyone who was at the match, I think they would still have said that they preferred the old Johnstone’s Paint Trophy format to the current Checkatrade Trophy format.

So, yes, I admire the fans that still go to these Checkatrade Trophy matches but I think you also need to think about the supporters that have decided to stay away, as well.

The penalty shoot-out at the end that had no meaning about summed the competition up really, and I can’t say I’m too disappointed to see United exit the competition.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s league trip to Swindon, that is a more than winnable away game for United, in my opinion. Like Carlisle, the 17th-placed Robins have been a bit dodgy at home this season so far.

But they changed their manager this week with Richie Wellens replacing Phil Brown at the helm at the County Ground. Blues boss John Sheridan will be alive to that situation I’m sure.

But if United go there and look to keep them quiet throughout the early stages of the match, or even look to grab an early goal themselves, things can change very quickly because I’m led to believe the supporters at Swindon can turn quite quickly.