Sam Hetherington was the only Carlisle United loanee in action this weekend – and he played a big part in Workington Reds’ draw with Warrington Rylands.

The Blues youth midfielder, who is on a work experience loan, started the game at Borough Park for Danny Grainger’s side.

And the 17-year-old impressed as he was involved in the move that led to Dav Symington’s opener against their promotion-chasing visitors.

Hetherington, who set up Symington for the first goal after a move also involving Kitt Nelson, played the first 74 minutes before being replaced by Brad Hubbold as Workington drew 2-2, Symington adding another first-half goal before Warrington - who included ex-Carlisle midfielder Dean Furman - hit back in the Northern Premier League Premier Division clash.

News and Star: Dav Symington takes aim watched by Warrington Rylands' former Carlisle midfielder Dean FurmanDav Symington takes aim watched by Warrington Rylands' former Carlisle midfielder Dean Furman (Image: Ben Challis)

Jayden Harris now returns to Carlisle after his hopes of a final game for Eastleigh were dashed by the weather.

The National League club’s home clash with Oldham Athletic failed a pitch inspection.

It was due to be Harris’s last game for the Spitfires, who have decided not to pursue an extension to the midfielder’s loan.

He will now rejoin the Blues squad as United wait to see if interest from another club in the 24-year-old is stepped up.

There was no game for Kai Nugent and Annan Athletic this weekend, with Peter Murphy’s side back in action at home to Edinburgh City next weekend.

The two youth players who have linked up with Carlisle City were also kept waiting for their debuts.

Romeo Park and Jacob Barry, who have joined Jim Nichols’ side on work experience loans, saw City’s game with Whitley Bay postponed on Friday because of a frozen pitch.

They will hope for their first outings when City face North Shields in Northern League Division One tomorrow.

A number of ex-Blues were in the thick of the weekend action, meanwhile.

Dean Henderson had an afternoon to forget in the Premier League as his Crystal Palace side lost 5-0 at Arsenal.

The Gunners’ second goal went down as a Henderson own-goal, Gabriel’s 37th-minute header striking the Whitehaven-born goalkeeper before going into the Palace net.

Henderson and his team-mates appealed for a foul to no avail as Roy Hodgson’s side were heavily beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

League One saw Macaulay Gillesphey make his Charlton Athletic debut as a second-half substitute as the Addicks lost 2-0 at Burton Albion, for whom keeper Max Crocombe was named man of the match.

League Two saw a Barrow debut for Cole Stockton but the sub could not inspire Pete Wild's side to a comeback as the south Cumbrians lost 3-1 at home to Crewe Alexandra.

In National League North, George Glendon was on target for Chester in their 2-0 home win over Bishop’s Stortford.

In the NPL Premier, Mark Cullen’s goal for Bamber Bridge proved slim consolation as they were thrashed 7-1 at home by Marine.

In the same division, Lewis Alessandra grabbed a hat-trick as Hyde United chalked up a 5-0 home win over Bradford Park Avenue.

Nic Bollado was on target for Morpeth Town in their 3-3 draw with Ashton United.

North of the border, Lewis Bell got the opener for Gretna 2008 as they eased to a 7-0 win at St Cuthbert Wanderers in the Southern Counties Challenge Cup.

On the international scene, Gethin Jones was in the Australia side that won 1-0 against Syria in the Asia Cup to secure qualification for the last 16.

The only ex-Blue in the Africa Cup of Nations, meanwhile, was an unused sub with Mo Sagaf failing to get off the bench in Tanzania’s group stage defeat to Morocco.