Carlisle United were held to a 2-2 draw against Southend United at Brunton Park.
First-half strikes from George Kelly and Regan Linney put United in control at the break, but Southend managed to level proceedings in the second-half through Andy Dallas and an own goal from Terell Thomas.
Mark Hughes made two changes for United from their win over Eastleigh last weekend, with Harvey Macadam and David Ajiboye coming in, which saw Jack Ellis and Luke Armstrong drop out of the XI.
United made the perfect start, opening the scoring after just three minutes after a mistake by Southend ‘keeper Owen Mason was pounced upon by Stephen Wearne who was then taken out by Mason.
Referee Paul Marsden looked to have awarded a penalty, but Georgie Kelly was able to finish into an empty net.
Carlisle continued their positive start when Regan Linney forced a good save from Southend’s substitute ‘keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi, who replaced the injured Mason.
Linney wouldn’t be denied for long, as he smashed the ball into the Southend net to double United’s lead, getting on the end of Ryan Galvin’s deep cross after some good work from David Ajiboye.
Southend had a few chances to half the deficit before the break with Gabe Breeze making some decent saves.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 2-0 Southend United
United came under greater pressure from the visitors in the second-half, forcing Breeze into a number of stops.
Dallas was able to pull one back in the 65th minute for Southend after finishing from the edge of the box.
The visitors levelled the score just 10 minutes from time after Terrell Thomas’ attempted clearance ended up in his own net.
Carlisle were unable to restore the lead late on and had to settle for a point at home.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 2-2 Southend United
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Thomas, Feeney (C), Ajiboye (Mugabi 76'), Kelly, Linney (Parker 83'), Galvin, Wearne, Gilliead (Ellis 83'), Atkinson, Macadam
Unused subs: Mair, Harper, Wyke, Conn-Clarke
Southend United: Mason (Andeng-Ndi 6'), Scott Morriss, Dallas (Spasov 87'), Hopper (Kendall 66'), Gubbins, Taylor, Miley (C) (Morton 66'), Appiah-Forson (Austin 66'), Golding, Coker, Boyes
Unused subs: Bridge, Walker
Goals:
Carlisle United – (Kelly 3'), (Linney 36')
Southend United – (Dallas 65'), (Thomas (OG) 81')
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United – N/A
Southend United – (Gubbins 29'), (Golding 69')
Red cards:
Carlisle United – N/A
Southend United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Paul Marsden
Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Bates
Assistant Referee 2 - Alex Gray
Fourth Official - Oliver Noonan
Attendance:
10,520 (626 away)
