Roddy Collins sprang a surprise by sticking with 3-5-2 despite heavy hints that he would switch to his preferred 4-4-2. Peter Murphy came into defence alongside Stuart Whitehead and Dave Morley. Stuart Elliott came in as expected to make his debut in midfield. Up front Ian Stevens replaced Jonny Allan.

The home side got off to a storming start and United were under pressure for the first 10 minutes. Matt Lockwood's inswinging corners caused plenty of problems for Luke Weaver (pictured) and his defenders, but Carlisle held out. A Matt Joseph 30-yard screamer was the highlight of this early pressure. Thankfully for the Cumbrians the ball flew just wide. In the 11th minute a Scott Houghton cross was met by the diving figure of Jeff Minton but his header flew wide of the right post.

United were getting forward more but there were too many offsides against Stevens and Halliday. On 23 minutes a Mark Birch cross brought a good save out of Ashley Bayes in the home goal. Steve Halliday then claimed a handball against Dave McGhee after his cross appeared to strike the defender's arm. Elliott fired in a good shot that was wide of the target. A few moments later Halliday was appealling for a spot kick again after another alleged handball from one of his crosses.

Birch entered the book for a late challenge on Lockwood, whose corner on 26 minutes caused more problems for Weaver who conceded another corner kick despite protests to the referee Mr Penton that he had been impeded. United were getting fairly aggressive and several players were trying the patience of the officials. Three minutes from half-time skipper Whitehead racked up his second caution of the campaign for a foul just outside the box. Thankfully Weaver gathered Lockwood's on-target dead ball effort comfortably.

By the half-time whistle Roddy Collins must have been fairly happy. The home team had come closer to scoring but the Cumbrians had stuck to their task with some gusto. The problem was the number of free kicks given away inside the danger area.

The Cumbrians started the second half determined to tighten things up. An early cross from the impressive Scott Houghton brought a good clearance from Whitehead. Eight minutes in Weaver made a good claim of a low Steve Watts cross. On 56 minutes McGhee nipped in ahead of Weaver but clipped harmlessly wide of the target. Tommy Taylor, unhappy at the strike partnership of Watts and Scott Oakes, hauled off both men and replaced them with Gary Fletcher and the peroxide-blond Chris Tate. Roddy Collins replaced Lee Andrews with Jonny Allan on the right flank of midfield.

Simon Downer entered the ref's notebook for an infringement on Allan. Elliott took the free kick and from that Allan fired in a shot that was blocked. A 61st minute chip from fully 40 yards out by Houghton almost deceived Weaver but he was able to flip the ball over for a corner kick.

Morley gave the ball away with a hasty clearance and Tate tried his luck from range but his chip was wide. Young Allan got in a shot soon after this but Bayes saved comfortably. Six minutes from time Craig McAughtrie entered the fray as sub for Stevens. Carlisle were looking quite solid. A Tate header caused a few hearts to flutter but Weaver saved.

McAughtrie blotted his copybook with a foul on Bayes that earned him Carlisle's fourth booking of the afternoon. Three minutes were added on but neither side threatened to break the deadlock.

Al's Verdict : After a rough start, we came back into the game, found our feet and picked up a very useful point. It was important after last week for the defence to post a clean sheet. I think they are our strength as the second half of last season proved and Roddy would be delighted to see them scrap for a draw away to a side who many fancy for promotion. It's still far too early to draw any conclusions but we simply have to play as a unit, show discipline and the results will come. The support from the terraces sounded excellent, the home fans didn't seem to make any noise at all. Much better all round.