Graham was Carlisle's top scorer last season with 17 goals

Carlisle United striker Danny Graham believes his first goals of the new season will silence his critics.

Graham scored twice in Saturday's 4-2 win over Crewe after going the entire pre-season without finding the net.

"Obviously it's nice to finally get the goals," Graham told BBC Radio Cumbria. "There's been a few doubters and hopefully I've proved a few wrong."

"It doesn't really bother me to be honest. I see pre-season as a time to get match-fit."

Graham, 23, joined the Cumbrians from Middlesbrough last summer following a loan spell at Brunton Park that saw him score seven times in 11 games.

He scored 17 goals last season to finish as the club's top scorer.

"It was a very open game and I think both teams wanted to attack. Like us, Crewe wanted to get the ball down and play and it was a very entertaining game."

After last year when we went out of all the competitions early, I think it is important we get a decent run this season to go along with a good league season Carlisle striker Danny Graham

The Cumbrians went to the top of League One following Saturday's win after their opening-day 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers.

"I don't think it means too much at this stage of the season," Graham said.

"It's always nice to start well. Last year we drew our opening game then followed that with a win so we have already improved on that."

Saturday's win over Crewe also saw the Cumbrians equal their best start to a season since the 1974/75 campaign when they topped the old First Division with two successive wins.

"We didn't know about that statistic but obviously it is nice to achieve something like that," he said.

"We broke a club record for consecutive home wins last season so it's nice to be part of something like that."

Graham, who has also had loan spells with Darlington, Derby County, Leeds United and Blackpool, is also hoping for a good cup run this season.

"After last year when we went out of all the competitions early, I think it is important we get a decent run this season to go along with a good league season."

The Cumbrians have been drawn away to Queens Park Rangers in the second round of this season's Carling Cup.