United manager Greg Abbott handed a debut to new signing Kevan Hurst at the expense of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson for the Tuesday evening trip to Edgeley Park to face a Stockport County side who were deep in administration troubles.

Joe Anyinsah moved to a central striking position alongside Scott Dobie with Taiwo, Kavanagh and Robson making up a midfield four.

The game started with the Hatters breaking quickly from the kick off but Carl Baker couldn't get any purchase on his shot and he dragged it wide of the target.

Danny Pilkington went even closer in the 3rd minute when he picked up the pieces as Harte and Keogh challenged for the same high ball. The nippy wide man cut inside and Pidgeley was relieved to see the deflection from Livesey take the ball past the upright.

Good play from Matt Robson on the left flank brought the Cumbrians their first opportunity of the night on 8 minutes when he carried the ball from deep. His early cross sat up nicely for Dobie and his looping header had to be watched all the way by Fon Williams.

Persistent play by Dobie and Anyinsah released Hurst moments later and his back post cross gave Kavanagh a sight of goal. Fon Williams was again well placed to gather the effort.

Carl Baker teased his way through two challenges on the edge of the Carlisle box as the chances continued to flow but his 18-yard grass cutter whizzed just past the post.

Kevan Hurst made it a dream debut in the 13th minute when he stayed calm as Taiwo touched the ball into his path. Just 16-yards out he wrapped his right boot round it and curled it into the top corner, leaving Fon Williams with no chance.

But Stockport were back on level terms within 60 seconds when Vincent stole a yard on the right. His cross skimmed off Keogh's head and into the back of the net as Pidgeley tried to get across to make the save.

Pilkington then drilled a 20-yarder over the bar as the Hatters pressed forward, and Vincent decided to cross when he was clean through, much to the relief of the United defence, when the shot looked the more likely option.

A relatively subdued period of the game was awoken by a Kavanagh cross from the left wing that had everyone spellbound. The ball seemed to take an age to arrive but it skipped off the surface and ran away as Fon Williams debated whether or not to move.

David Raven was last man standing in the 37th minute when one-touch football appeared to have opened the way through for Pilkington. The right back moved quickly and slid in to hook the ball away just as the lively forward shaped to shoot.

David Poole was presented with a volleying opportunity in the 45th minute when Carlisle failed to deal with a high ball into the box. Pidgeley tried to claim it but it fell in front of the Hatters man, but he couldn't get his shot on target.

Half Time: Stockport 1 - 1 United

A Michael Rose cross from the left flank in the 48th minute needed a fingertip intervention from Pidgeley to prevent it from creeping in and Matt Robson was nearly celebrating as the game continued to flip from end-to-end, when he clipped the ball towards the back stick when he ran into the box. Fon Williams was able to relax as he watched it dip over the bar.

Scott Dobie had a weak shot from 19-yards after a good first touch took him beyond the challenge of Mullins and the keeper was comfortable as it came towards him through the ruck of bodies.

Dobie then headed over from a Hurst corner as United tried to apply some pressure but Stockport battled for everything as they closed the gaps in midfield.

However, the Carlisle persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Hurst dropped his shoulder and picked out Anyinsah with his back to goal. The big forward took a great first touch before spinning and drilling the ball home beneath the forward dive from Fon Williams.

David Raven was handed a golden opportunity to extend the lead on 71 minutes when a break from the back involving Taiwo and Hurst was matched by the run of Robson. His far post cross was met by a diving header from the onrushing defender but he couldn't keep it on target as he aimed to put it back across and in front of the keeper.

Hurst showed a bit of skill once more in the 81st minute when he wriggled his way into a shooting position 20-yards from the target. He wrapped his left foot around it but he couldn't keep it down as it flew into the stands.

Michael Rose hit the woodwork direct from a corner as Taiwo misjudged the flight of the ball, but Kavanagh was able to lift it clear as it bobbled around the area.

Joe Anyinsah blasted the ball against Fon Williams' legs when he went one-on-one as the clock ticked down, and Pidgeley dropped gratefully onto a Johnson shot moments later as the game finished in a frenetic manner.

Goals

Stockport - Keogh (og 14)

United - Hurst (13), Anyinsah (65)

Bookings

Stockport - Raynes (58), Havern (68)

United - Dobie (90)

Teams

Stockport - Fon Williams, Mullins, Rose, Raynes, Vincent (Turnbull 72), Tansey, Thompson, Baker, Poole (Johnson 72), Pilkington, Havern. Subs - Gerrard, Griffin, Halls, Edwards, Roberts.

United - Pidgeley, Raven, Livesey, Keogh, Harte, Robson, Taiwo (Bridge-Wilkinson 89), Kavanagh, Hurst (Rothery 90), Anyinsah, Dobie. Subs - Collin, Kane, Horwood, Burns, Madine.

Away fans - 527