Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson gave a pat on the back to Dan Butterworth after his performance in the 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth.
Butterworth has not figured very much since his summer switch to Brunton Park but took his chance against Pompey.
He had earned that chance with a lively performance in the midweek Central League Cup game at Penrith.
Simpson told the United website: “When they get an opportunity in those bounce games they have to do a job.
“He hasn’t been involved because unfortunately he hasn’t done the job we wanted him to, but he showed a bit of life.
“We had a couple of niggles going into the game and that’s the reason why I chose to go with Butts and not Corey Whelan.
“I know Corey will be disappointed but he’s important to us and the decisions are made based on changes I can see might possibly need to be made.
“They’re all going to be needed because as I keep saying, we’ve only got 17 outfield players fit at the moment.”
That’s going into tomorrow night’s home game against an in-form Burton Albion who have moved steadily up the League One table after a slow start.
Saturday’s 4-1 home win over Bristol Rovers lifted them to ninth in the table, just three points off a play-off place.
This will be only the third time that Burton have played at Brunton Park. The last was just over nine years ago on October 21, 2014 when they won a thriller 4-3.
The previous time was in September 2004 when Paul Simpson was in charge of United for a Nationwide Conference game which finished 0-0.
