Carshalton Athletic midfielder Rob Carrick endured a rollercoaster night of emotions after making his first appearance in more than a month on Tuesday night.

Carrick was part of a Robins side which drew 1-1 with Whyteleafe in the first round of the Robert Dyas League Cup, and it was his spectacular 25 strike which sent the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

Leafe keeper Sheikh Ceesay became the hero however as he saved both Carrick and Tommy Bradford’s spot kicks to help the visitors to a 4-2 victory.

“It was nice to be back involved with the first team, and I was really pleased with my strike, but it would’ve been nice to get to the second round,” Carrick said.

“I felt confident walking up for my penalty but unfortunately the keeper guessed the right way.”

Carshalton fell behind to a goal by former player Jason Henry midway through the first half, but Carrick and his team-mates shook off a sluggish start to finish dominating the game.

“Despite the disappointment of going out the competition, the mood afterwards was fairly positive,” he added.

“We weren’t a million miles away in the first-half but we started to pass the ball better after the break. It was a shame we couldn’t convert just one more of the chances we created.”

Carshalton welcome high-flying Faversham Town to Colston Avenue on Saturday but Carrick is up for the challenge.

“It’ll be a difficult game against them but if we can replicate our second-half endeavor from this cup game then we’ll give ourselves a chance,” he said.