Chris Beech hopes he can create new FA Cup memories as he starts life in the Carlisle United dugout today.

The new head coach takes charge for the first time in the second round tie at Forest Green Rovers (New Lawn, 3pm).

Beech was struggling United’s choice to replace Steven Pressley and his opening challenge is to steer the Blues towards a potentially money-spinning third round tie.

The new boss – who has Jack Bridge and Elias Sorensen back available – has enjoyed good times in the FA Cup as a player and coach.

He played a goalscoring part in Huddersfield’s run to the fifth round 20 years ago and was Rochdale No2 when they took Spurs to a replay in 2018.

Although Carlisle sorely need better results in the league, Beech said: “We don’t prioritise certain competitions, we want to look to win every game we’re in.

“It’s great we’ve got an opportunity to play in the FA Cup. It’s the FA Cup! That was a good competition to me as a player.

“I managed to get a couple of goals in the fifth round, and it’s been good for [my] previous employers, Rochdale, in terms of the cup runs we’ve had, the finance it’s brought in, the exposure it’s given to the club, the excitement it’s given the fans.

“We’re playing against a team that’s in its system, it’s organised, it’s ready. We’ve got to be right at our best to compete with Forest Green.”

All eyes will be on Beech’s first team selection today with former caretaker Gavin Skelton having reverted to a 4-4-2 system in United’s last two games.

Carlisle, fourth bottom in League Two, must try to endanger one of the best home defences in the country, with Mark Cooper’s side having conceded just six goals in nine games at the New Lawn.

Beech says he holds former team-mate Cooper in high regard and expects a tough opening examination in the United hot-seat.

“Mark has been a manager for a long time, I played with him at Hartlepool and he’s got them going,” he said. “They’re quick and dynamic, and the players are buying into his beliefs. They’re good at reacting to setbacks.

“Forest Green will be up for it. They don’t give a lot away. We need to be right on point to give them a game.

“I want to go on another cup run and I’m sure the Carlisle supporters and players do. But I’m sure everyone attached to Forest Green does too. So we’ve got to make sure we’re ready to fight, and battle, and play, pass, penetrate, score goals.”

Beech admits that United must play and work at their maximum in order to turn their fortunes around. He has called on fans to show as much support as possible but added: “We know we need to give you something to shout about. I want the lads to represent values such as hard work and honesty, we want to see tackles, turnovers, goal action and players taking players on, but opponents aren’t going to just let us do that.

“We’ve got to understand that to get that, we’re going to have to work harder. Sometimes to win a race you have to run ten yards further, and I think where we are at this moment means we have to run ten yards further.”