United manager Greg Abbott had six new signings on display in the starting line up for the season opener at Brunton Park with Jason Price handed a waiting role on the bench.

The Cumbrians' manager went with the diamond formation that had seen his side play some good, controlled football through pre-season with Paul Thirlwell in a protective slot in front of the back four.

United started brightly and they were unlucky not to take the lead on 4 minutes when James Chester stayed deep for a corner delivery. He got a strong header to it and Moore was beaten as the ball looped over his head and bounced off the top of the bar.

Berrett sent one just over when the ball broke for him 20-yards out, and the woodwork was in play again on 6 minutes when Craig Curran slid in to get a touch on a Zoko shot. Moore blocked the first effort and Curran could only stab the loose ball against the base of the upright.

The all-action opening continued with Bean doing well to head a wicked Harte free kick delivery away for a corner, and it took 18 minutes for Brentford to get into the United half with any purpose.

Forster started things off with a deep cross but it all ended with a wild shot from Myles Weston, although there was a half shout for a penalty as the ball pinged around inside the United box.

The Cumbrians got the lead their play deserved on 22 minutes when Gary Madine timed his late run perfectly to meet an inswinging ball into the 6-yard box. He took a touch and regained his balance before smashing it into the waiting net.

Adam Collin showed good concentration at the other end when Forster rose highest in the box. His header was on target but easy for the alert United stopper.

Collin was in action again on 27 minutes when a swirling free kick skimmed off a Carlisle head. It needed a full stretch dive and a full set of fingertips to prevent it from creeping into the bottom corner.

Simon Moore completely misjudged a McDaid cross on 38 minutes and he was lucky to get away with it as Madine and Curran converged on the loose ball. His defenders came to his rescue and bundled it away for a corner.

Taiwo had a real chance to double the lead on 43 minutes following good work from Zoko tight by the bye line, but the ball spun up in front off him and it screwed off his shin and over the bar.

Ian Harte made sure that it was a comfortable cushion at the break though when he picked up where he had left off last season with a well struck penalty after Curran was felled just inside the area.

Half Time: United 2 - 0 Bees

James Berrett was first off the blocks in the second half and his stinging drive had to be handled carefully by Moore as he dropped low to smother the shot.

Substitute Robbie Simpson struck a sweet volley from 23 yards on 53 minutes but it was too measured and Collin showed safe hands to grasp it out of the air.

Berrett and Thirlwell both had decent shots on target as Carlisle started to pick up the pace, and there was some flowing football on show on 59 minutes as the home side kept the ball and probed expertly. A Curran nod down was eventually put behind by Osborne.

Collin completed a world class save on 61 minutes to preserve his clean sheet when Simpson found Alexander in the box. The goal-bound shot was flicked over the bar as the big keeper threw his hand up and made some contact.

Berrett had a couple of testing shots from distance as the game moved into a hotly contested midfield area, and Curran was close when he tried to tuck a bouncing ball beyond the advancing Simon Moore.

Bridge-Wilkinson threaded a lovely ball across the face of the box as the clocked ticked down, but there was noone there to finish it off as it skipped just wide of the post.

James Berrett was left with his head in his hands in time added on when his first time volley beat the keeper only to thump back off the crossbar.

Goals

United - Madine (22), Harte (45 pen)

Teams

United - Collin, Simek, Chester, Harte, McDaid, Thirlwell, Berrett, Taiwo, Zoko (Bridge-Wilkinson 75), Curran, Madine. Subs (not used) - Caig, Murphy, Hurst, Price, Robson, Kane.

Brentford - Moore, O'Connor, Woodman, Bean, McCracken (Legge 46), Balkestein, Forster (MacDonald 69), Weston, Spillane (Simpson 46), Osborne, Alexander. Subs (not used) - Saunders, Hunt, Wood, Lee.

Away fans - 349

Today's Match Sponsor - Heineken