Jack Armer believes Carlisle United still have the “momentum” that can make for an exciting end to the season.

The young defender, who scored his first career goal in the draw at Barrow, is now preparing for the Blues’ six-pointer at Newport.

It promises to be a hugely significant game in United’s bid to force their way back into the play-off places.

And Armer is bullish about the Blues’ prospects.

“There’s a good feeling in the changing room and we want to be playing these games as fast as possible. We want to try to achieve something,” said the former Preston man.

“We have three out of the top seven still to play and anyone can beat anyone in this league.

“We’re going into these last games with a load of momentum, so it definitely is all to play for.

“We’re picking up momentum at the right time and we’ll go to Newport fully believing that we will win the game.”

Armer has earned another run in the side in recent weeks and headed home a Callum Guy corner after three minutes at Holker Street to break his goalscoring duck.

The 19-year-old admitted it was an incredible feeling.

“I was totally buzzing and it’s a massive adrenalin rush,” he said. “For people who score every week it must be brilliant.

“I probably should have scored from the chances I’ve had over the past few games but that’s the first one, so hopefully I’ll get a few more before the end of the season.

“It just opened up and I couldn’t miss. I was at the penalty spot area and Callum just puts great balls in every time.

“I really didn’t know what to do so I ran over to him and had a bit of a celebration. I’m delighted with it.”

Armer said it was important United showed the ability to pick up a result from a losing position at Holker Street, after conceding two “sloppy” goals.

The defender also spoke about the challenges the Blues have faced in returning to regular action after a prolonged January disruption because of Covid and other postponements.

He said: “It was totally weird. We were flying at the top of the table and everyone was buzzing every single day.

“The weather was bad, then there was Covid. I had it, and 14 of the other lads did as well, and a couple of us were really ill.

“I know we beat Exeter in that first game back but I still felt miles off it.

“It was sort of like going into the first game of the season without having had a pre-season.

“We’re through that now and hopefully with a bit of momentum we can get back up there.”

Armer said there was a degree of “fatigue” in the early stages post-Covid and added: “I think it was made worse because we weren’t able to train outside. I know we couldn’t do anything about that, but it meant match prep was difficult when being right at full fitness is a massive part of the game.”

The versatile defender, though, said United are doing all they can to make the most of their chances in what remains of 2020/21.

“Everyone tries as hard as possible and you can see the lads are tired at the end of games,” he said.

“We’re all trying to cover as much ground as we can, and we’re looking to win the second balls because at the end of it all we want to be winning games.”