First year professional Tom Aldred celebrated the news that he had been handed a one-year contract extension with a call-up for his first career start at the heart of the Carlisle defence as Peter Murphy dropped down to the bench.

Jason Price, Tom Taiwo and Ben Marshall all came back into it to make it four changes from the JPT starting line up last Sunday.

Second-year YTS prospect Ryan Bowman was handed a place on the bench as manager Greg Abbott looked to bounce back from what had been a disappointing display at Wembley.

United created the first opening of the day when Clayton took possession from a quick throw in. It opened up in front of him but his shot was always curling away from the edge of the box.

The Cumbrians opened the Pirates right up on 8 minutes when Keogh skipped through two challenges tight by the corner flag. He carried it into the area and drilled it low across the face of the target, but Elliott got the clearance moments before Price could finish it off.

Keogh raised spirits again on 16 minutes when he cut inside and pulled the trigger as he reached the edge of the area. Andersen followed it with a dive but it spun wide off the greasy surface.

A good touch from Marshall released Clayton as United stayed forward and the nippy midfielder beat his man and progressed towards the bye line. He dumped Andersen to the floor with the drop of a shoulder but the keeper recovered and made the block as Clayton tried to squeeze it past him.

Ian Harte brought the best out of Andersen with a 21 yard free kick that the agile keeper had to tip over the bar, and it was almost a dream debut for Aldred from the resulting corner as he nodded it towards the gaping net. It appeared to get a touch from Marshall and it was a head in the hands moment as it dropped the wrong side of the upright by less than an inch.

Ben Marshall thumped one wide as Bristol Rovers showed nothing in an attacking sense, and the same player pulled another shot wide from distance as half time approached.

The Pirates nearly nicked one just before the break when a half cleared free kick was hooked back into the area. Kuffour was unmarked but he couldn't get anything onto it and it bobbled away for a goal kick.

Half Time: United 0 - 0 Rovers

Good one touch football took Price into a shooting position within moments of the restart but his volley from a tight angle smashed into Clayton and came to nothing.

Determination and poise from Scott Dobie took him past two on 52 minutes and his cross was perfect for the United attacking trio. Ben Marshall took it on his thigh but Andersen had fortune on his side as it zipped into his midriff.

Price then beat the offside trap and clipped the ball past the keeper only to see Regan scoop it away as it threatened to cross the line.

The Cumbrians got the goal their play deserved on 56 minutes when Ian Harte notched his 15th of the season following a challenge on Clayton inside the area. The penalty was perfect and left Andersen with no chance.

But the joy was short-lived as Heffernan equalised within seconds of the restart when he slotted home a quick-fire break to bring the blue shirts right back down to earth.

It was suddenly a full-blooded game and Carlisle regained the lead when neat passing football released Horwood on the left. He crunched a thunderous volley goalwards and Price was there to nod it in as Andersen's touch sent it onto his forehead.

The afternoon got even better for the home side on 71 minutes when Price was fouled inside the area and Harte placed the ball down the middle from the spot to make it 16 for the campaign in total.

Jason Price was unlucky not to grab his second of the game on 73 minutes when Andersen scrambled across his line to block what initially appeared to be an open goal.

Second year YTS striker Ryan Bowman made his debut for the club as the clock ticked into time added on and Ben Marshall had a shot deflected wide as United looked good for their 3 points.

Goals

United - Harte (56 pen, 71 pen), Price (61)

Rovers - Heffernan (57)

Bookings

United - Thirlwell (5), Robson (10), Harte (45)

Rovers - Campbell (21), Hughes (sent off 55)

Teams 

United - Collin, Keogh, Aldred, Harte, Horwood, Marshall, Clayton, Taiwo, Thirlwell, Robson (Dobie 17, Bowman 90), Price (Madine 84). Subs (not used) - Pidgeley, Murphy, Kavanagh, Kane.

Rovers - Andersen, Regan, Lines, Elliott, Campbell, Williams, Heffernan, Hughes (Reece 67), Blizzard (Swallow 72), Kuffour, Jones. Subs (not used) - Evans, Clough, Richards, Cooper, Clarke.

Away fans - 360