Carlisle's FA Cup hero happy to play 'on instinct'

Regan Linney scored 44 goals in 93 games for Altrincham before his move to Carlisle United

Carlisle United forward Regan Linney said he is happy to play "on instinct" after his FA Cup giant-killing heroics.

Linney came on in the second half and scored a hat-trick as the National League side came from two goals down to knock out League One Reading in extra-time.

It was his second hat-trick of the season and took his tally to 14 in 17 games since joining the Cumbrian club from Altrincham.

"I think I do play on instinct. I just try to get myself in situations and create space for myself, and obviously I've scored three yesterday," he told BBC Match of the Day.

Linney was left on the bench to start with at the Select Car Leasing Stadium as head coach Mark Hughes made five changes to his side with one eye on their attempts to regain promotion back into the EFL as they sit third after 16 games.

He was introduced in the 69th minute, immediately after Reading had doubled their advantage.

The 28-year-old pulled a goal back in the third minute of stoppage time and then grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the eighth added minute as his shot went through Royals goalkeeper Jack Stevens.

And four minutes into extra time, Linney's completed the turnaround and his hat-trick to book Carlisle's place in the second round for the first time in three years.

"I'm still buzzing. I'm loving working under the gaffer, and obviously playing with the lads and scoring a hat-trick against a League One outfit was a special feeling for me," he said.

"I'm a confident player at the moment, so if I get opportunities I'm confident I can take them.

"I was hoping I would get in various situations with full-backs and other players and take them, and that's what I've done."