Sub Tom Miller's extra-time goal earned Reggie lambe and his Carlisle United teammates a gutsy Carabao Cup win against League One side Fleetwood.
The defender powered home Danny Grainger's corner in the 101st minute to decide an absorbing tie at the Highbury Stadium.
Jordy Hiwula had levelled in the 69th minute for Fleetwood, after Shaun Miller's first-half opener for Keith Curle's Blues.
Harvey Rodgers was sent off during extra-time as Carlisle closed out a dramatic victory, which puts them into Thursday night's second round draw where they will hope for a lucrative tie.
Shaun Miller, handed a start alongside full debutant Richie Bennett, put Carlisle ahead midway through the first half.
The striker was sent behind the home defence by Lambe before turning and sending a deflected shot looping over keeper Alex Cairns.
That capped an impressive spell for the Blues, which also saw Jamie Devitt test the Fleetwood keeper.
Lewie Coyle had gone close with a volley at the other end for Uwe Rosler's side before Miller struck.
The Fleetwood man also tested United again down the right but Jack Bonham was alert to the cross.
Rosler's side applied more pressure as the half went on but Jordy Hiwula and Devante Cole couldn't find a way to goal.
Mark Ellis made a good block to deny Ashley Hunter - and on the stroke of half-time Bonham made a superb flying save to tip over a Hunter attempt.
Lambe should have made it two in the 47th minute when played in by Miller, but Cairns saved.
Devitt was then denied a penalty appeal by ref Graham Salisbury after more good target-man play by Bennett.
Fleetwood, though, improved after the introduction of ex-Blues man Kyle Dempsey and Conor McAleny.
And they levelled when Hiwula arrived to steer home Coyle's cross.
Hiwula almost grabbed a winner after Bonham spilled a cross but couldn't score from a tight angle.
United, with Hallam Hope and Sam Cosgrove off the bench - the latter for his debut - then went close at the death through Ellis.
Tom Miller, on for his namesake, then soared to put United back in front six minutes into extra-time.
Cosgrove could have added another, but United stayed firm at the back.
Tom Parkes recovered from his ankle injury to start for Carlisle United, having been a doubt after limping off in the second half of Saturday's home defeat to Swindon.
But the ex-Leyton Orient centre-half started at the back in the Carabao Cup first round tie.
He was partnered by the recalled Ellis, starting his first Blues game since January.
United's substitute keeper was Morgan Bacon, with Liverpool loanee Shamal George away on an England training camp.
Both sides were able to bring on a fourth substitute during extra-time under new competition rules.
|
