Jack Bridge has warned Carlisle not to “get ahead of ourselves” and spend too long basking in their superb cup exploits.

The Blues return to league action against Mansfield this weekend.

And midfielder Bridge, whose penalty helped United beat Barnsley 3-0 in the Carabao Cup, says their mentality must be right if they are to build on their Oakwell success.

He said: “We have to make sure we keep setting that standard every game.

“We’ve got to make sure we have the right mindset to go again and don’t get ahead of ourselves.

“It was a great buzz coming off the pitch – everyone was on such a high after a great performance and a great win, but now it’s about Saturday.”

Summer signing Bridge, 23, says Carlisle showed what they are capable of on Tuesday night after their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Swindon in League Two.

“Coming off the back of a disappointing weekend, everybody was so ready to put it right, and to show that [at Swindon] is not what we’re about,” he said.

“That was key, so to perform like we did [at Barnsley] was different class from everybody that was on the pitch.

“That’s why I came here. I want to be involved in that type of football.”

Bridge’s second-half spot-kick was his first competitive goal for the Cumbrians and came after the midfielder edged a contest among team-mates to determined who would get the nod.

The ex-Northampton man now has the honour for the immediate future as United sought a new penalty-taker after the summer departure of Danny Grainger.

He got the chance as ref Ben Toner blew for a foul on Harry McKirdy rather than play an advantage when Nathan Thomas slotted home the loose ball.

Bridge said: “I’d rather take the goal in the first place but it allowed me to get on the scoresheet which is always nice.

“There was a few involved [in the penalty competition] but I’m on them now, so hopefully I can keep scoring when they come.”

The midfielder said Carlisle’s travelling fans at Oakwell gave the team a “massive push” to see through their win against Championship opposition – United’s record away victory in the League Cup.

He now hopes they can reward supporters at Brunton Park against a Stags side tipped to be among the promotion contenders.

Bridge said: “They [Mansfield] have got another good squad, they were good last year, but hopefully we will just do more of the same. It will be a tough game but we just have to get our heads straight and do what we’re good at.

“Our first game of the season [against Crawley] was brilliant at home, everybody enjoyed that and we just want more of the same.”

Bridge, meanwhile, says he is enjoying his role in Carlisle’s team since his summer move.

He is getting a run in his preferred central position after admitting he was frustrated at being played in different places at Northampton.

“I love playing in the position I’m playing,” he said. “Last season was a bit of a difficult one for me playing in loads of different positions, but coming here, that’s what I’ve come here for, to play in that position, and I’m happy that I am.

“I think I’ve settled quite quickly [at the club] – everyone’s been so nice. I live with quite a few of the boys, so you get quite close to everybody quite quickly.

“It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed my time up here so far.”