Stefan Scougall says Carlisle United must enjoy the pressure of ensuring their promotion push remains on track.

The Blues are preparing for another clash with play-off rivals when they go to Colchester this weekend.

It comes after Scougall’s impressive full debut display was not enough to prevent Steven Pressley’s side losing 3-2 to MK Dons – a third successive winless game.

United are seventh in a tight race ahead of Saturday’s six-pointer in Essex and schemer Scougall said: “There’s pressure on every game, especially when you’re at the top end of the table.

“It’s a good pressure – pressure you’d rather have rather than being at the bottom of the table thinking, ‘if we don’t win here, we’re screwed'.

“The next game is always the most important one and we’re always confident of beating anybody on our day.

“There’s plenty of games to play and it’s in our hands.”

January signing Scougall is hoping to build on his own bright first start for the Cumbrians, which saw him earn and score a penalty in the first half.

The 26-year-old said he was thrilled to be involved from the outset after being starved of starts at former club St Johnstone this term.

“We’ve had a couple of injuries, and Dev [Jamie Devitt] is suspended, but for me to get the call – I was delighted,” he said.

“Hopefully I’ve done enough to get my place for next week.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve played so it was great to be back out on the pitch from the start.

“I’ve come on a few times recently but being in from the start, you get a good buzz from that and it means you don’t miss the general build-up to a game when that adrenaline pumps through you.”

Scougall felt new-look United had shown glimpses of their potential against MK but conceded they need to do more over the 90 minutes.

“I thought we started the game quite well, then they got in behind us and scored, which took a little bit out of us,” he said.

“After that we played some good stuff, and got the goal, which gave everyone a big lift.

“In the first half I thought we played some great one-touch, two-touch stuff. Hopefully we can bring more of that in the coming weeks. There’s a few new boys and it might take a couple of weeks, but I think we’ve shown in glimpses we are a good team and we can be even better

“There was a 15-20 minute spell in the second half when we couldn’t really get [on] the ball and we gave possession away cheaply - that ultimately cost us.

“As players we need to take more ownership when we’re on the pitch. There’s only so much the gaffer can say from the side. If you’re giving away the ball cheaply in bad areas, ultimately you’re gonna get done.”

Scougall, who said his “false nine” attacking role was a new experience, claimed he had no hesitation in volunteering to take United’s spot-kick in the absence of regular takers Danny Grainger and Devitt.

“I’m a confident player,” he said. “Before the game the gaffer asked about penalties and I was probably the first one to say yes.

“I always back myself in anything.”

The ex-Sheffield United man admitted he is not yet at maximum sharpness given his recent lack of regular football, but expects to get up to full speed quickly.

He added: “It was my first start since the end of July-August and I definitely felt that, as I think a lot of boys did. It was a tough week in terms of travelling and playing three games in the space of eight days.

“That’s what you’re here to do. You’d rather be playing games than training, but it does take it out of you.

“I just like to go out and try to play my game, excite the fans, get them on edge of their seats. Hopefully I did that in spells and hopefully there’s more to come from me.

“I’m still a wee bit away in terms of being 100 per cent fit – I’m probably a couple of games away, but I felt good out there for a large part of the game.

“Towards the end you saw me getting cramp a couple of times.

“Hopefully there is more to come.”

Scougall was also impressed with United’s 10,000 supporter turnout and hopes to reward them with the results they need in the coming weeks.

He said: “They came out in their numbers and hopefully over the next few home games they can keep coming back. As players you want to be playing in front of big crowds.

“Ultimately, it’s the fans who push you over the line. If they can come back it would be fantastic.”

United go to Oldham today for a behind-closed-doors reserve game at the Latics’ training ground (kick-off 2pm).

Mark Cullen, Jason Kennedy, Connor Simpson and Louis Gray are set to play.