Carlisle United goalkeeper Mark Gillespie has signed a new two-and-a-half year contract with the club.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper's existing deal was due to expire next summer, but he will now remain with the League One side until 2015.

"Mark keeps improving and that is good news for all of us," Carlisle manager Greg Abbott told the club's official website.

"We have seen already this season that he is ready to do a job and we think he is just going to get better and better.

"This gives him a chance to really focus now and to push himself on even further."

Gillespie, a product of Newcastle United's youth team, has made 13 appearances for Carlisle during the current campaign.