Despite an energetic performance under the lights at Brunton Park, United suffered a 2-0 defeat to League Two promotion hopefuls, Salford City.
Two Macaulay Langstaff goals either side of half-time were the difference in a tight contest at Brunton Park, but a spirited and purposeful performance left Blues Head Coach, Rob Elliot buoyed ahead of the start of the Enterprise National League season on 8th August.
He said: "Overall it was really good.
"They've signed Macaulay Langstaff, who's a top-quality striker, and he takes the two opportunities they really had.
"I never thought they caused us too many problems. We defended really well, but we switched off twice on the counter and that's what top players do – they punish you.
"It was a really good physical test, but what pleased me was that in every aspect of the game you'd measure us on, I thought we were excellent other than the most important one, which is putting the ball in the back of the net."
Elliot was enthused by The Cumbrians' play, particularly in the final third, with only the finishing touch evading United on Tuesday evening.
"We're getting into the final third brilliantly and dominating the ball.
"We've scored a lot of goals during pre-season, but when you come up against top-quality opposition, you have to be more ruthless.
"We just need to nail down those final concepts over the next week or so because I thought we could have easily scored four or five tonight."
A trademark of the early stages of the Rob Elliot era has been the high-intensity pressing, Elliot himself was impressed with his side's efforts in this department against the Ammies.
"I thought the press and aggression were really good.
"The only challenge for us was probably the first 15 minutes because we panicked a little bit while they had possession.
"But once we stayed together, kept our shape and pressed at the right moments, we consistently won the ball back and really hurt them."
Despite the result, United's Head Coach believes supporters are now beginning to see the identity he wants his side to develop.
"You can really start to see what we're trying to do and the concepts are coming out.
"The lads have been absolutely brilliant. They're a top group and they give everything.
"What I want now is for them to fully believe in it and go all-in because we've shown tonight that we can hurt one of the best teams in League Two.
"I genuinely believe they'll be promoted this season and we've shown we can dominate large periods against them."
Elliot has had to make use of his whole squad throughout pre-season with injuries to several key players. His starting eleven against Salford was another sign that the Blues can't rely on the full complement of their squad at the moment.
"Toby [Mullarkey] has only been with us for a day, Bunks [Harvey Bunker] was playing in there [central defence], Cammy [Cameron Harper] moved into midfield, and we had to mix things around a bit, so overall I was really pleased."
The Blues' Head Coach has deployed Cameron Harper at the base of his midfield in United's last two pre-season fixtures.
"Cammy's a top player and a really intelligent footballer.
"He can play several positions and he gave us great energy and control in midfield. I thought he was brilliant.
"Second half especially, he really led the press with his intensity and his tackling.
"He loves this football club and wants to be here. He's making it difficult for me because of how well he's playing."
United secured the signing of Toby Mullarkey on a six-month loan deal from Fleetwood on Monday and he came straight into the side for Tuesday night's game.
"It's tough for Tobes [Toby Mullarkey] because he's probably still trying to learn everyone's names while playing against a top team.
"He's a great character, gives us real physicality and size, he's very comfortable on the ball and he's someone I trust.
"He gives us that extra bit of cover and I thought he was excellent."
Elliot was also complimentary of Leo Duru on his first start since signing for the Blues after his trial period.
"When someone comes in on trial and earns a contract, it tells you we really like what we've seen.
"He's still young and there's plenty to improve, but he's been an absolute pleasure to work with.
"He's the right type of character, he's hungry and wants to develop. That's exactly the sort of player we want at this football club."
Hayden Atkinson and Stephen Wearne were able to secure their first minutes of pre-season against the Ammies.
"Hayden was excellent when he came on. He's aggressive, physically very good and he cares about the football club.
"Wearney [Stephen Wearne] gives us great energy as well. Once he's fully sharp, I think we'll have a really strong group of attacking players who we can rotate throughout the season."
David Ajiboye was substituted in the 39th minute after a string of heavy challenges on the United winger.
"He's fine. He took a couple of knocks and I was disappointed with the challenges, but he'll be okay.
"David's started pre-season brilliantly. He's working so hard on every aspect of his game and he's always staying behind after training to improve."
There was further positive news on the injury front with several players closer to returning.
"The boys [Hayden Atkinson and Stephen Wearne] who came on tonight are another step forward.
"Next week we should hopefully have Kenton Richardson and Brad Nicholson available. Then hopefully a couple of weeks down the line from Harvey [Macadam] and Morgs [Morgan Feeney] and then Lukey [Armstrong] a couple of weeks after that.
"The good thing is we'll become stronger as the season goes on. We just need to manage everyone's load properly."
Tuesday evening's game provided Elliot his first experience as United Head Coach at Brunton Park.
"It was brilliant.
"The reception we got was fantastic and I just want to say thank you to everyone.
"I'm really looking forward to a packed Brunton Park because that's one of the reasons I wanted to come here.
"It's not just about building a structure and an identity on the pitch, it's about creating that connection between the players, the staff and the supporters.
"When we turn up every Saturday, whatever happens, we all need to be pulling in the same direction because we all want the same thing.
"Tonight was really enjoyable and hopefully it's the first of many good days and good nights at Brunton Park."
