Last updated 21:33, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

HAT-TRICK hero Danny Graham revealed how a half-time blast from John Ward and Greg Abbott inspired the Blues to Saturday’s stunning victory over Yeovil.

A real strike force: Danny Graham

Manager Ward and number two Abbott read the riot act after a sluggish first half from the Cumbrians. They responded in impressive fashion as striker Graham completed his first career hat-trick and teenager Gary Madine hit his maiden career goal in the 4-1 comeback victory.

“The gaffer and Greg gave us a bit of a talking-to at half-time,” said Graham, who now has five goals this season after taking home Saturday’s match ball.

“They weren’t happy with the first-half performance, but we came out in the second half and did well.”

Graham claimed his first goal on the stroke of half-time when he equalised Gavin Tomlin’s 15th-minute opener for the Glovers.

He then scored two in 10 second half minutes and admitted his thoughts were racing as he stepped up to score his hat-trick goal from the penalty spot.

The former Middlesbrough ace said: “I was thinking, ‘If I miss this I’ll never get a hat trick’. Thankfully the keeper went the wrong way and it ended up in the back of the net.

“I’ve had a few chances to get a hat-trick for Carlisle before, I’ve had a few doubles without managing to get the third, so it’s good to get there at last and I’m over the moon.

“But the most important thing was the three points. We started slowly but we got the equaliser at the right time and managed to turn the game around. In the end it was a good home victory.”

The 4-1 win, in front of 6,286 fans at Brunton Park, has given United a share of top spot in League One. The Cumbrians are behind Leicester and Oldham on goal difference after the first four games of the campaign.

Graham, substituted in the 85th minute to a standing ovation, added: “The reception was brilliant. There have been a few people who have questioned me when I don’t score, there have been people on my back, but to get that reception can only be a boost for me.

“I started off well last year then I went on that long run without a goal. Hopefully I can have a good season scoring freely where I don’t have a drought this time.” It was a first league defeat of the season for Glovers chief Russell Slade, who lost midfielder Nathan Smith in the pre-match warm-up and had to draft Marc Bircham into his side.

Graham is joint top scorer in the division along with Leicester’s former Carlisle loanee Matty Fryatt and Bristol Rovers marksman Rickie Lambert.

The Blues, meanwhile, have seen their promotion odds cut to 5/2 after extending their unbeaten start to the League One campaign.

Ward also saluted 18-year-old sub Madine who scored United’s fourth in injury-time. “It’s a big moment for him – you remember the first goal of your career,” said the manager.

“If players are good enough, they will get backed by me no matter who old or young you are. And this young man is going to be a decent player.”