Offiong must improve, says Abbott

Offiong joined Carlisle in August from Scottish side Hamilton

Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has called on striker Richard Offiong to raise his performance levels after Tuesday's 4-2 win against Macclesfield.

Offiong, 25, joined the club from Hamilton in August for £75,000 and Abbott says his displays must improve if he is to justify his price-tag.

"It's not good enough, he's got to improve," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We haven't got time to nurture him, on the pitch he's got to do his work. He's got to get on the end of things."

The win against the League Two side booked Carlisle's place in the quarter-finals of the northern section of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

And while Offiong struggled to impress, Scott Dobie helped his cause with two goals - leaving Abbott delighted to have progressed to the next stage of the competition.

"He came on and looked the part, didn't he? He's come up with the goods and that's six goals he's got this season," he said.

"We're taking it very seriously, it's the best chance of getting any trophies this season and certainly our best chance of getting to Wembley.

"We've done what we came to do, which was give some players some pitch time and the result looks handsome on paper."