Sam Hetherington was the only one of Carlisle United’s young loanees to return to action this weekend.

The teenager was in the Workington Reds side to face Warrington Rylands in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

But Hetherington and his team-mates were beaten 2-1 on the road.

The young Blues player was on for the first 55 minutes before being substituted as Tom Stephenson took his place.

Reds were beaten thanks to goals from Matthew Regan and Jake Burton either side of a Matty Clarke goal, while Steven Rigg had a penalty saved. Hetherington and his team-mates are next in action at Lancaster City next Saturday.

Jake Allan was not in the Reds squad while Aran Fitzpatrick remains out with injury.

There was no place, either, for Anton Dudik in the South Shields squad as they lost 3-0 at Curzon Ashton in National League North. United’s other loanee, Josh O’Brien with Carlisle City, remains on the sidelines

A number of ex-Blues were in the thick of the action this weekend, meanwhile.

In League Two goals from two former Carlisle men helped Tranmere Rovers to an important victory.

Kristian Dennis and Omari Patrick were on target as they came from behind to defeat Harrogate Town 2-1.

A Cole Stockton double helped Salford City to a 3-0 home win over Notts County.

And a strike from Calum Kavanagh – son of former Blues manager Graham – was enough for Bradford City to claim a 1-0 win over Swindon Town, Paul Huntington also in the Bantams' line-up.

Another son of a former United man was on target in League One as Bailey Cadamarteri, son of Danny, scored in a 2-2 draw for Lincoln City at Huddersfield Town.

In the Championship, Brad Potts got Preston North End’s goal in their 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

James Trafford was in goal for Burnley's 2-1 win at Norwich City in Sunday.

The Premier League saw Jarrad Branthwaite play the full game to help Everton to a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

And fellow keeper Dean Henderson helped Crystal Palace to a 3-1 derby win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

In the National League there was a goalless draw for first-team coach Gavin Skelton’s Hartlepool United at Southend United.

Carl Magnay’s Gateshead claimed a 4-0 home victory over Woking.

Micah Obiero got a consolation goal for Wealdstone in their 3-2 defeat at Oldham Athletic.

In the NPL Premier, Mark Cullen was on target as Bamber Bridge defeated Hebburn Town 2-1.

Adam Clayton got the second goal for Matlock Town in their 2-0 win over Mickleover.

In Morpeth Town’s 4-1 defeat to Ashton United, Nic Bollado scored the hosts’ consolation while Nathan Buddle was credited with one of the the visitors’ goals.

Carlisle City’s FA Vase run ended with a 2-0 third round defeat at Crook Town for Dan Kirkup’s side, who had Jake Simpson and Tom Mahone sent off.

Darren Edmondson’s Penrith, meanwhile, lost 4-2 in a Cumbrian derby at Kendal Town in Northern League Division One.

Keith Millen’s Croydon Athletic lost 2-1 to Deal Town in the Isthmian League Division One South East.

North of the border, Peter Murphy’s seventh-placed Queen of the South returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home victory over Stenhousemuir in Scottish League One. They remain one place and three points above Annan Athletic, who had an emphatic 5-1 win at bottom side Dumbarton.

In the same division Gavin Reilly scored for leaders Arbroath in their 2-0 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.