The captain, whose goal sparked United’s turnaround in their 2-1 win at Solihull Moors, says Rob Elliot’s side will be ready for the showdown with the second-placed Yorkshire side at Brunton Park tomorrow.

United are unbeaten in five games in league and cup – while Simon Weaver’s side have won their last five National League games.

Feeney believes the recent run says positive things about the developing mentality within Elliot's squad, and this puts them in a good place for Wednesday’s showdown.

"Harrogate are flying, absolutely," Feeney said. "But they're the games that you want to play.

“They’re one of the better teams in the division, [but we feel] we’re one of them.

"They're the games you want to play and you want to prove that you're the better team and the best team, so we're relishing it.

"It's at home which is brilliant, so they'll have to come to us and be ready for us – because we'll be ready and we'll look to produce more of the same intensity and keep the unbeaten run going."

Carlisle's victory at Solihull was a gruelling affair, with a grim first-half display in miserable weather leading to a much better showing after the break.

The Blues trailed at half-time but Feeney’s first goal of the season brought them level before sub David Ajiboye hit the winner.

"It was a grind for both teams,” he said.

"The first half probably wasn't a spectacle but it was tough out there and there were limited chances.

The captain, right, played a key part in Carlisle's fightback at Damson Park (Image: Richard Parkes)

"We were disappointed to concede on the stroke of half-time the way we did, but there was no panic. We just knew it was going to be a game of character and a game of grit.

"We came out in the second half, started the tempo really well and played a lot of the football in their half.

"We defended when we had to and I don't remember Adam [Desbois] having to make very many saves.

"Maybe we could be critical and say we should have put a few more away, but it wasn't about that. It was about getting through the conditions and getting on the bus happy with the win."

Feeney said the composure United showed in working out a way back in the game was vital.

During the interval, he said, Carlisle “told the truth and knew we were going to turn it around.

"We knew we needed to up our levels for the second half and we spoke about it.

"It was a tale of two halves, maybe. We spoke about character a lot and I think we showed that in the second half."

Feeney believes the result reflects a positive improvement in a young Carlisle side after some of the avoidable defeats they suffered earlier in 2026/27.

"We were unfortunate in some of the games but, at the end of the day, there were mistakes which cost us,” said the 27-year-old.

"It's about changing the mentality, and certainly [on Saturday] and in the last few games I think you've seen a shift in that mentality.

"Similar games earlier in the season, maybe we would have lost them. Now we've come through and won them.

"It's about grit and determination. Sometimes it can't always be nice football, but it's going in the back of the net for us."

The fact Carlisle have built their first solid unbeaten spell of the season is crucial, the skipper believes.

"Results are massive," he said. "If you look at successful seasons, you won't go through the whole season playing well every week.

"[Saturday] probably wasn't a spectacle in many ways but conditions played a big part.

"It's good when you show character and you can mix it up, play the conditions and come to a tough place away from home and show you're not going to roll over.

"At the end of the season, when the points are on the board, you don't ask how you got the wins. It’s just about three points on the board."

Feeney's equaliser helped ignite the comeback, as the defender pounced to volley home when a Miguel Azeez shot was deflected into his path.

The captain said he rejected the temptation to go for a spectacular finish in favour of a more measured low shot, as the ball looped his way.

"Sometimes you think about all the famous goals [you’ve seen] when you're a kid and try to blast them," he said.

"But it fell to me and I just thought ‘Keep it low’. I felt it would skid off the surface and that's always difficult for goalkeepers.

"A couple of my family members are on holiday, so I'll tell them it was a 30-yard volley when I get on the phone to them.

"I'm delighted to score and hopefully there'll be a few more before the season is out."

Carlisle have never beaten Harrogate in league football - and Feeney is keen to change that tomorrow (Image: Barbara Abbott)

United moved up to 11th and will now look to make further progress – but to do so on Wednesday they must overcome a Harrogate side who have never lost to Carlisle in league football.

Asked about the Suplhurites’ image as a bogey side, Feeney said: “It’s been well spoken about – but at the end of the day it's a game of football, two teams going at it, and whoever is better on the day comes out on top.

"We need to make sure that's us. If we show the character and grit we've shown in the last couple of games, and the quality in the final moments, then I think any team will struggle against us.

"We'll focus on ourselves and we'll be ready."

• United’s scheduled Cumberland Cup second round tie against Mirehouse Juniors tonight has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Gillford Park. A new date will be set for the game.