Eric Kinder says Carlisle United’s second-year youth players must “lead the way” tonight as the Blues bid for more FA Youth Cup success.

United’s under-18s host Bradford City (Brunton Park, 7pm) in the second round of youth football’s most prestigious knockout competition.

They are playing for the right to host Stoke’s Category One academy side in round three.

Kinder’s side booked tonight’s tie with a 3-2 comeback victory at Salford. He said the character shown then by his older players, such as Taylor Charters and Charlie Birch, must again come to the fore tonight.

“You’re playing on the main ground, under lights, and it’s a fantastic and fascinating competition,” Kinder said.

“History tells me some players get overawed by it and some embrace it. Your second years, who’ve been there before, have to lead the way.

“That’s what happened in Salford after a poor first-half. Our older players stepped up – the likes of Taylor Charters, Charlie Birch and captain Tom Wilson.

“To come from 2-0 down against a side that’s flying in our league has given everybody the bit between their teeth for this round.

“We have to start better, but everyone is looking forward to it.”

Academy boss Kinder has a fully-fit squad and is likely to hand a place on the bench to under-16 prospect DJ Taylor, who impressed when scoring twice in Friday’s Alliance Cup 3-3 draw at Mansfield.

On tonight’s opponents, whose academy manager is Neil Matthews, coach Kinder added: “Bradford, in the past, have always produced decent youth sides.

“Looking at the table – they are in the north-east group and we’re in north-west – we’ve had similar results so far.

“They beat Rochdale 3-0 in the last round. I’ve watched that game, and they dominated it. They want to play football and they’ve got a decent centre-forward and two wide men, which we’ll have to be wary of.

“They’re clever with their set-plays, too and we’ll need to be at our best.”

Entry tonight is £3 (adults) and £2 (concessions).