United manager Greg Abbott stuck with the same starting line up that brought an impressive opening day victory over Brentford for the first round Carling Cup visit of Huddersfield Town with the side tasked with maintaining their early season good form.

The Cumbrians sprung the first attack of the evening with just 37 seconds on the clock when Madine won possession in midfield. Simek was on the overlap and his early cross found Zoko on the edge of the box. He tried to control his volley but he couldn't keep it down and it dipped over the bar.

A deflection off Taiwo ricocheted wide for a corner as the Terriers put pressure on down the flanks, and Pilkington had to work hard to recover it. He dropped his shoulder and whipped it back in and Collin had to tip the ball over the bar as it threatened to creep into his top corner.

Smithies had to beat a wicked free kick delivery away as blue shirts chased it down in the 6 yard box on 12 minutes with both sides looking dangerous in and around the area.

Jordan Rhodes pounced on a loose ball on 15 minutes and he lobbed it over the advancing Adam Collin only to see it drop into the side netting.

Determined tackling in midfield from Taiwo and Curran released Thirlwell on a run and he carried it forward with Huddersfield in disarray. He had options but he chose to shoot and he dragged the shot well wide in the end.

Frank Simek found another fantastic delivery on 25 minutes when he made space for himself on the right wing and it took a good touch from Smithies to keep it away from Madine and Zoko. Simek was involved at the other end moments later when he was needed to head the ball behind as Joe Garner raced in.

The Cumbrians thought they'd taken the lead on 35 minutes when a ball over the top and into the area was nicked on by Curran. Naysmith cleared it off the line but Madine was there quickly, and he crunched it low and hard across the face of goal. Lee Peltier was relieved to get onto that one first as he completed the clearance.

A good recovery from McDaid prevented Jordan Rhodes from scoring as he went through two challenges, but Collin was beaten as the eventual effort crept just past the upright.

A huge kick from Collin dropped inside the Terriers box and Curran did enough to get it back to Gary Madine. He unleashed a first time volley but Smithies had it covered as it bobbled wide.

Rhodes then did the same when he found himself with a bit of time on 44 minutes but Collin was comfortable as he watched it all the way.

Half Time: United 0 - 0 Huddersfield

Huddersfield had some good early possession after the break without quite managing to make the breakthrough and Gary Madine had a double effort on 49 minutes as United tried to up the pace.

His first shot was blocked and he could only drag the second one wide as he struggled to get his balance.

Lee Peltier almost caught Collin by surprise on 53 minutes when he drilled a low cross from a tight angle towards the near post. It was going in but the big keeper got both hands to it and put it behind for a corner.

A Berrett shot spooned up into the air on 55 minutes as Clarke got his toe in the way and Smithies had to punch as Curran ran in. Zoko then headed over from 10 yards when McDaid crossed in what was a good spell for the home side.

There was more good play from Carlisle on 61 minutes and Berrett won an important challenge that set him free in the area. He pulled it back for Taiwo but his first time rasper flew back off the arm of the central defender. Gary Madine had a follow up header but Huddersfield defended well and cleared the danger.

Gary Madine brought the best out of Smithies on 64 minutes when he drilled a powerful shot towards the bottom corner, only to be thwarted by the full length dive of the keeper.

James Chester then headed wide from close range as he stretched to meet a Berrett cross, and it was all action as the Terriers sprung forward and put the Carlisle goal under pressure.

A combination of the crossbar, Collin's hands and an alert Sean McDaid on the goal line preserved the clean sheet.

The woodwork came into play again when Rhodes muscled Chester off the ball and shot from 23 yards. Collin was beaten but it came back off the bar and Harte calmed things down.

Gary Madine fed strike partner Curran an interesting pass on 71 minutes and he steadied himself, showing excellent strength, only to see his shot eventually spin harmlessly away.

Pilkington scissor kicked a volley wide as the game swung from end to end, and Ian Harte sent one right at the keeper as he bent a 76th minute free kick round the wall.

Ian Harte sent a dipping free kick inches wide as the game remained in the balance and Rhodes dragged a poor effort wide with Huddersfield trying to assert some authority.

It was a cruel moment on 89 minutes when a seemingly harmless ball over the top turned into a good one when Chester slipped to the floor. Novak took it on and slid it across for Jordan Rhodes who made no mistake as he slid it under the advancing Adam Collin.

And that was enough to take the visitors through in what was a keenly fought contest.

Goals

Huddersfield - Rhodes (89)

Bookings

United - Harte (9), Taiwo (72)

Huddersfield - Peltier (12), Garner (87)

Teams 

United - Collin, Simek, Chester, Harte, McDaid, Thirlwell (Bridge-Wilkinson 90), Taiwo, Berrett, Zoko (Robson 82), Curran, Madine. Subs - Caig, Murphy, Hurst, Price, Kane.

Huddersfield - Smithies, Peltier, Naysmith, Gudjonsson, P Clarke, Roberts (Carey 78), Garner (Novak 88), Pilkington, Arfield (Johnson 57), Rhodes, McCombe. Subs - Bennett, Kay, Robinson, Croft.

Away fans - 336