Carson felt the Black Cats let themselves down a bit with their performance in the 2-0 Stadium of Light victory against Gateshead, who went into the game on a high after sealing promotion to the Blue Square North.

And the Northern Ireland Under-21 international goalkeeper (pictured right) said there was no champagne flowing in the dressing room afterwards.

Carson said: "A lot of us are still young players and for us to win a trophy is a good achievement, so we have to enjoy that side of things.
"But it was a weird atmosphere after the game because we had just won a cup but the lads were not really happy with their performance.

"We didn't really celebrate.

"We knew it would be a tougher challenge against Gateshead than we've had previously in the competition.

"Our coach, Neil Bailey, had watched Gateshead a couple of times and prepared us well.

"If we look at the competition as a whole, it is a confidence booster to have won a trophy."

Carson, who pulled off a couple of fine stops against Gateshead, has yet to earn a first-team appearance, but will be focussed on that goal after the summer break

"I just want to come back from the summer fit and ready to do well," said the 20-year-old from Downpatrick.

"My aim is to stay with Sunderland and try to impress here.

"But if the gaffer brings in other goalkeepers in the summer then maybe I'll look to impress on loan at another club."

Carson has been kept out of the first-team picture by Scotland star Craig Gordon, Hungarian international Marton Fulop and Darren Ward, but feels he is improving under the watchful eye of goalkeeping coach Raimond van der Gouw.

"I'm learning every day from working with Craig, Marton and Darren," he said.

"And I think Raimond has brought me on a lot.

"Next season could be a big one for me and I hope to do myself justice."