McAvoy defends selection after Carlisle trophy loss

Carlisle United assistant head coach Frankie McAvoy has defended Carlisle United's selection in the FA Trophy despite their much-changed team losing 1-0 at Chatham Town.

The Blues made nine changes to the starting line-up and were beaten by a side third in the Isthmian Premier League, a gap of 50 places on the league ladder.

They fell behind to a first-half Matty McArthur free-kick and could not find a way back into the game, causing a fruitless 670-mile round trip from Cumbria to Kent.

"We did feel we had enough to win the game," McAvoy told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"Quite a few supporters have come here to try to see us win as well and we were hoping we had enough quality on the pitch."

On a difficult afternoon, Carlisle also lost top spot in the National League as York City's win at Sutton United moved them top on goal difference.

McAvoy admits that some of the fringes players did not do enough to further their cause of regular selection.

"Some of them have not played as many minutes as they probably hoped to have done," he added.

"This gave them an opportunity to show what they can do and unfortunately we came up a wee bit short. That is the disappointment.

"We prepared as best as we could for the game, we felt we were taking a squad good enough and capable of winning. Unfortunately it didn't go our way."