Workington Reds put up a good show against professional neighbours Carlisle before going down 3-1 at the final whistle.

Carlisle's summer signings Shaun Miller, Russell Penn and Joe McKee all scored their first Carlisle goals at Borough Park.

Striker Miller fired United home from the penalty spot in the first half at a windswept Borough Park.

Ex-Blues man Conor Tinnion levelled for Reds early in the second half with an excellent solo goal

But midfielder Penn quickly restored Carlisle's lead with a thumping strike from outside the box.

And fellow midfielder McKee made it three with a deft volley.

It completed another useful workout for Keith Curle's side, with recent signing Shaun Brisley getting his first 45 minutes in a blue shirt in the second half.

Curle gave some of his squad 60 minutes in west Cumbria, with three trialists - a keeper and two strikers - also involved.

Miller broke the deadlock on 15 minutes after being fouled by Tinnion in the home box, the ex-Morecambe man drilling his spot-kick past keeper Aaran Taylor.

The Reds No1 then excelled with a series of saves to deny one of United's trialists, one a fingertip save against the crossbar.

While Reds handed a debut to new striker Tom Kilifin, former Blues player Dave Symington, who started in central midfield, almost picked out Robbie Hebson with a cross late in the first half.

But Tinnion then did level for Derek Townsley's side on 48 minutes, cutting in skilfully from the right before beating United's substitute keeper with a fine dipping shot.

Carlisle, though, immediately went back ahead as former York man Penn won a 50-50 and then smashed a superb shot out of Taylor's reach.

And their third goal arrived just three minutes later, as a Danny Grainger cross was volleyed home first time by the arriving McKee.

Carlisle started with a 4-4-2 system but changed to three at the back in the second half, with Reggie Lambe switching from the wing to centre-forward.

Brisley came on at the break and completed the second half, having missed out on United's first two friendlies.

Tom Miller returned after a minor knee problem but Charlie Wyke again sat the game out.

Workington: Taylor (Fowler 73), Simpson, Pearson, May, Calvert, Earl, Hebson (Jolly 73), Symington (Henderson 46), Kilfin (Carter 86), Tinnion, Allison.

United: Gillespie (Trialist 46), T Miller (Brisley 46), Grainger (Brough 62), Ellis, Raynes, Jones (Kennedy 46), McKee (Devitt 62), Adams (Joyce 46), Lambe (Trialist 62), S Miller (Ibehre 46), Trialist (Penn 46).