Regan Slater admits he couldn’t believe his eyes when he broke his Football League duck for Carlisle United in great style.

The teenage loan midfielder was the star of the show when the Blues won 4-0 at Swindon.

And Slater, 19, says he was in dream land when he scored not once but twice to claim the first league goals of his promising career.

He struck in the 46th and 65th minutes at the County Ground and of his first he said: “I was just so surprised. It fell beautifully and I couldn’t have written it any better.

“The way the ball was bobbling and bouncing around, to then get that connection and see it hit the back of the net was a great feeling.

“I didn’t quite know what to do, I was so shocked. And when I scored my second, one of the boys in the corner nipped me to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

“In training I seem to be able to find the back of the net now and again but in a game it’s not something I’ve been able to do.

“It’s something I need to work more on because in the past I’ve not been clinical enough. Scoring is massive for my confidence to take into the next game.”

Slater’s outstanding display against the Robins earned him a place in the EFL’s team of the week with Blues boss John Sheridan also named manager of the week.

The young Sheffield United player says he is developing all the time under former Wednesday favourite Sheridan and believes he will grow into an even better player as his season-long loan goes on.

“I’ve been back and looked at his [Sheridan’s] clips because everyone speaks so highly of him,” Slater said.

“He scored some great goals and I’ve heard a lot about him off my dad and other people.

“It definitely helps having someone who’s played the game and played it as well as he did.

“This loan move has helped me with a lot so far. Mentally, coping with a few things I haven’t been used to, and physically, you’re always learning things in the game, whether it’s in training with the boys or especially playing on a Saturday or Tuesday night.

“For a young lad it’s important to go out and play men’s football as they call it, league football. It helps everything - mentally, physically, tactically, technically, you have to bring it all together.

“I’ve had a run of games now, I’m starting to build a bit of confidence and as a team I think we’re playing some good football.”

Slater has started United’s last three games – his best run of starts since joining in the summer.

Swindon - the Blues’ third win in four games - saw only his fifth league start, from 15 appearances in all competitions this term.

His feats against the Robins helped United consolidate 11th position and they can climb further up the table with victory over Forest Green this weekend.

Slater added: “Hopefully I’ll be starting that game and we can kick on. If we can find that consistency we need we’ll be a great team, with the players we’ve got.

“It would be nice to take [the Swindon] result and performance into Saturday’s game and I’m sure we’ll work hard in training to do that.

“At the start of the season we went on a bit of run where we were unbeaten at home. We’ve got to try and make it a horrible place for the opposition to come.

“If we do that we’ll pick loads more points up. It’s important we keep the run going.”