The action from the Mansfield Town away game
A devastating spell of first half finishing from Rakish Bingham left new boss Keith Curle with plenty to ponder as Mansfield put Carlisle to the sword at the One Call Stadium - despite a rousing fight back from the Cumbrians which almost earned them what would have been a well deserved point.
The Stags had an early attack when Rhead won a header in midfield. Bell spread it to Bingham and he stepped inside to shoot, sending a curling effort right at Gillespie.
Carlisle responded with a looping cross from Dempsey which found Paynter in space at the back stick. He nodded it back into the mix but Evtimov got there before Sweeney could finish it off.
United failed to deal with a long throw from Marsden on 4 minutes and Marsden was eventually given space and time to curl the ball into the danger area. Lee Beevers held his ground and somehow managed to guide an unstoppable header into the bottom corner.
The visitors regrouped and Brough did well to control a long ball over the top tight by the touchline. His cross spun high into the air but a back header from Sweeney had Elliott interested. Evtimov did enough to force a stabbed toe poke to go wide of the upright.
Carlisle were unlucky not to equalise midway through the half when Brough hooked a deep ball back into the six yard box. Elliott helped it on and Sweeney put his boot through it, only to see Tafazolli slide in for the block.
It was better from the visitors and a raking pass from Dicker sent Brough into a good area. He took a touch and unleashed a powerful shot, but it flew into the side netting as Evtimov watched it pass by.
Matt Rhead provided a constant target for the hosts and his header put Bingham through as Mansfield looked to extend their lead. White recovered to make a clearance but it was quickly fed back to Rhead as he lost his man. He was at a tight angle and White swept it away before Bell could contribute.
Another long throw brought a second goal as Marsden's launched delivery was cleared into his path. He had time and space to measure his delivery and Bingham bided his time before calmly slotting a first time volley into the far corner.
The afternoon got worse just four minutes later when Beevers was allowed to carry the ball forward, from his own half, to the edge of the box. Bingham was in space and a neat touch was followed by an excellent finish.
United saw plenty of the ball after the break but they couldn't make use of their set piece deliveries and crosses as Mansfield protected their lines. However, they breathed life into the visiting support behind the goal when a sustained spell of pressure sparked a run forward from Dempsey. Dicker took over and he found Paynter, who smashed a difficult volley into the deck. It eventually came to Amoo who opened his account for the season with a very clean strike.
Elliott was unlucky not to bring his side right back in it when he volleyed a half clearance right at the keeper, and he turned provider moments later with an outswinging cross which found Amoo unmarked. His downward header had Evtimov beaten but it grazed the outside of the post.
Carlisle were right back in it with 20 minutes to go when Kyle Dempsey stunned everyone with a winding run across the face of the 18 yard box. He appeared to be going nowhere as he rode three challenges and he brought the travelling fans to their feet when he stopped dead and picked his spot with a peach of a finish.
White had to clear from a Marsden cross at the other end as Mansfield regrouped and Rhead thought he'd scored until his header from the corner which followed dropped onto the roof of the net.
United kept going and Amoo was close again with another header which went just over, and Kearns and Amoo had shots blocked as Mansfield held on through the closing stages.
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Goals
Town - Beevers (4), Bingham (37, 41)
United - Amoo (61), Dempsey (71)
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Bookings
Town - Bingham (26)
United - White (54)
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Teams
Mansfield Town - Evtimov, Tafazolli, Riley, Sutton, Marsden, Beevers, Murray, Clements (McGuire 49), Bell (Lambe 79), Bingham (Fisher 83), Rhead. Subs - Studer, Palmer, Heslop, Taylor.
Carlisle United - Gillespie, White, Archibald-Henville, Grainger, Brough, Dicker, Potts (Amoo 46), Sweeney (Beck 46), Dempsey, Elliott (Kearns 83), Paynter. Subs - Hanford, Marrow, Symington, Marriott.
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Referee - Mr Seb Stockbridge
Attendance - 3,117 (313 away fans)
