Chris Beech felt Magnus Norman gave an “excellent” display on his Carlisle United league debut after being called up at short notice.

The goalkeeper was handed his first League Two outing for the Blues after an injury to regular No1 Paul Farman.

The ex-Fulham man stepped up and made some outstanding saves at Mansfield.

Although he was eventually beaten by Stephen McLaughlin’s free-kick in the 1-1 draw, head coach Beech was full of praise for the 24-year-old.

“He was brilliant,” Beech said.

“To get the call from Steve [Collis, goalkeeping coach] at 12.30pm to say Paul’s not available and you’re going to be playing…full credit to him.

“He’s had to be patient and he was excellent.”

News and Star: Norman dives to make a save at Mansfield (photo: Richard Parkes)Norman dives to make a save at Mansfield (photo: Richard Parkes)

Norman had been limited to two EFL Trophy appearances before Tuesday night, since his summer move to Brunton Park.

Beech felt the keeper could have had more protection from referee Trevor Kettle, feeling Norman was fouled moments before he recovered to make a superb save from James Perch.

He added that Norman deserved a debut to remember having shown total commitment to Carlisle since joining.

“You don’t need me to tell you we’ve got a hard-working, honest squad – there’s no stand out individual that’s significantly better than anyone else,” he said.

“We have a great attitude to working hard and representing Carlisle United to the best of our abilities.

“With the goalkeeping unit, we recruited two very good lads at different ends of the spectrum of age I suppose.

“I knew Magnus from coming on loan at Rochdale, and he wants to start his career.

“He’s bought a flat in Carlisle, committed to the area, signed a two-year deal, took a wage drop to sign for us, it’s just commendable really.

“It means more, because you connect to the sacrifice he’s made to join us, and the patience he’s had to show, in being professional to play.

“As a goalkeeper it must be so difficult. As an outfield player, as a substitute… an attacker, you’re likely to get on. As a defender you’re likely not to. As a goalkeeper, definitely, you really don’t.

“I’m just so pleased for Magnus. He had a great game.”

Beech said Farman’s injury was not only a “slight strain” which would be assessed “day by day”, although he did not specify how long the first-choice No1 would be missing.

News and Star: Gabriel Breeze, the youth keeper promoted to the bench last night (photo: Richard Parkes)Gabriel Breeze, the youth keeper promoted to the bench last night (photo: Richard Parkes)

Norman will get another outing if Farman is not risked against his former club Stevenage on Saturday, while youth keeper Gabriel Breeze was on the bench at Mansfield.

Beech said of Farman’s injury: “It’s not too much – he just felt something a little bit in training [on Monday] near the end, and he’s honest enough to say he’s not 100 per cent.

“We need our players 100 per cent, because it’s so tight to get a victory and a convincing victory.

“On [Tuesday’s pitch it’s difficult to play football on the floor, and fair play to Mansfield for trying to do that, ourselves a little bit of it, but it’s difficult to play in those conditions, and everyone has to be 100 per cent to give 100 per cent to try and win a game.”