Even in defeat, he continued his incredible run of goalscoring form for Carlisle United.

And Jon Mellish's latest strike for the Blues made him one of the club's most prolific finishers for some time.

Midfielder Mellish's consolation goal against Cheltenham in United's 2-1 defeat was his 11th goal in 11 games.

It is the best run of scoring over such a period for 15 years by a Carlisle player.

Not since Karl Hawley has there been a burst of scoring to compare, the striker netting 11 in 10 games in the 2005/6 season in which he bagged 26 in total.

Mellish's 11 in 11 beats the best runs of strikers such as Charlie Wyke, Jabo Ibehre and Danny Graham in the years since then.

United boss Chris Beech again saluted the former Gateshead player after the 2-1 loss at Brunton Park.

"It’s ridiculous," he said of his scoring run.

"There are no penalties or free kicks in it, either. You have to take your hat off to that, 100 per cent."

Mellish turned home an Omari Patrick cross shortly before half-time against the Robins.

That followed goals from the converted centre-back against Barrow, Sunderland (two), Port Vale, Colchester, Morecambe, Newport (two) and Hayes & Yeading from a man who had not scored for the Cumbrians until October.