Carlisle United wore their new home strip for what was rightly billed as the biggest game of their season, with nothing less than a win sufficient to assist them in their battle to stay in League One.

Graham Kavanagh returned from suspension with Peter Murphy and Ian Harte forming a left-hand side of defence combination in a bid to deal with the double threat from Neil Harris and Gary Alexander.

The Cumbrians gave themselves the perfect start when Graham Kavanagh scored what has to be one of the best goals ever seen at Brunton with just seven minutes on the clock when he unleashed a thunderbolt from all of 28-yards. Forde tried to get across to it, but it flew past him and bulged sweetly in the back of the net.

Alexander and Grabban combined at the other end as the Lions went in search of an equaliser, but Harris was leaning back and he scooped his 8-yard high over the bar.

An instinctive volley from Taylor sent the ball into the box in the 10th minute but it was difficult for Dobie to control and he diverted it into the Warwick.

Joe Anyinsah should have done better in the 14th minute when he was sent clear by a Lewis Neal pass over the top. It sat up nicely for the volley but he dallied and Dunne was able to nick it off his toe.

Taylor tested Forde in the 19th minute when Anyinsah won a header and diverted the ball into his path. He struck it first time but the keeper got down quickly and was able to smother it.

Andy Frampton swiped a shot wide from a corner as the ball popped loose inside the area, and that came from a set-piece won by Grabban when he blasted a shot against the onrushing Ian Harte.

Gary Alexander found himself in space when the Cumbrians' defence waited for an offside flag as they half-cleared a free kick. The experienced striker opted for an early shot and Williams handled it well, pulling it in to his chest as he went for the bottom corner.

United should have doubled the lead on 37 minutes when Anyinsah tucked the ball round his man in midfield and burst in to the Millwall half. He drew all of the challenges then spread the ball out to Neal, but the nippy winger couldn't steady himself and he smashed it over the bar from just 12-yards out.

Dobie fought to get his head on to a Neal cross, and Neal headed wide from 8-yards when Anyinsah kept the pressure on with a swirling cross from the right hand side.

Ian Harte sent a 25-yard free kick over the bar as United finished the second half strongly, and a low cross across the 6-yard area had to be hooked clear when Taylor tried to find Neal at the far post.

Half Time: United 1 - 0 Lions

Good work from Cleveland Taylor created the first chance of the second period when he beat his man on the right and drilled the ball in to the box. It was diverted out towards Murphy, but he couldn't keep his shot on target.

The Cumbrians kept the pressure on and they got their reward in the 50th minute when the ball popped up in front of Paul Thirlwell 22-yards out. He wrapped his left foot around it and made sure that he would be head-to-head with Kavanagh in the goal of the season stakes.

A speculative ball forward from Murphy put Taylor clean through in 51st minute, but he couldn't get it out from uner his feet and the moment was gone.

It was heart in the mouth time for Graham Kavanagh in the 55th minute when a Henry cross rebounded up off his toe and took Williams out of the equation. Both players could only watch and wait as it spun up and dropped over the bar.

It needed last ditch defending in the United box in the 57th minute when Price probed and forced his way through. Keogh ran in to make the final challenge, just as Grabban tried to apply the finishing touch.

Jimmy Abdou shanked a long range volley wide as the Lions tried to get back in to it, and Gary Alexander went within a whisker of getting his side a goal when he rifled a firm header over the outstretched hand of Williams. It smacked against the crossbar and Keogh was able to tidy it up as it bobbled around in the area.

Henry won a corner for his side in the 73rd minute when he sent a deep cross towards Price, but Raven got there first and helped it on its way.

An amazing moment of indecision from the Referee spared Carlisle their third sending off in two games when Keogh and Price clashed and went tumbling to the ground. Mr Swarbrick waved play on, leaving the crowd in a stunned silence.

The Cumbrians sat deep for a spell as Millwall pounded the box with crosses, but a resolute back line refused to fold as they dealt with the aerial onslaught.

Jimmy Abdou missed a gilt-edged opening in the 88th minute though when Price flashed the ball in front of Williams in the Carlisle area. The late arriving midfielder met it firmly but he couldn't keep it on target and he sent it wide.

Danny Graham had a last minute shot deflected inches wide, but it was celebrations all round as the result came through from Elland Road that confirmed that Northampton were the team to go down.

Goals

United - Kavanagh (7), Thirlwell (50)

Bookings

United - Murphy (83)

Teams 

United - Williams, Raven, Keogh, Harte, Murphy, Taylor, Kavanagh, Thirlwell, Neal, Anyinsah, Dobie (Graham 79). Subs - Kane, Madine, Lumsdon, Morris.

Millwall - Forde, Frampton (Price 46), Dunne, Alexander, Harris, Grabban (Martin 58), Henry, Craig, Barron, Abdou, Bolder (Laird 58). Subs - Pidgeley, Duffy.

Away fans - 529