Regan Linney produced a stunning performance, including a brilliant second-half strike as United drew 3-3 with Boreham Wood at Brunton Park.
Luke Norris’s first-half smart finish had given the Wood the advantage, but a goal from Georgie Kelly from the bench and a Linney double saw the Blues take the lead with under 20 minutes to go.
However, the visitors regrouped to salvage a point thanks to headers from Norris and Charlie O’Connell.
The London outfit started the match strongly, pushing United back with a series of long throws from Chris Bush, which United dealt with adequately.
Gabe Breeze had to make smart stops, while the Wood’s Abdul Abdulmalik’s movement stretched the defence.
The visitors’ pressure told in the 40th minute when Erico Sousa’s clever pass released Norris, who calmly slotted past Breeze.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 0-1 Boreham Wood
Carlisle introduced Georgie Kelly at half-time, and the substitute made an instant impact within four minutes of coming on, levelling with a low, composed finish after Luke Armstrong’s pressing created the chance.
The equaliser galvanised the Blues, and their confidence grew.
In the 53rd minute, Linney combined with Cameron Harper and rifled home from a tight angle to put United ahead.
The Blues’ number ten’s second was a superb effort, as he cut inside from the left, sat his man down before curling a magnificent strike into the top-right corner in the 71st minute.
This did not deter the visitors, and their persistence paid off with 11 minutes left, a cross from the right picked out Norris, who headed home.
Five minutes later, Tom Whelan’s free-kick was delivered deep into the area and O’Connell climbed highest to nod past Breeze to level the score.
Jack Ellis blazed a stoppage-time chance over as the match finished a draw.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 3-3 Boreham Wood
Teams:
Carlisle United – Breeze, Ellis, Hayden, Thomas, Harper, Whelan (Robson 80), Macadam, Linney (Luamba 95), Embleton, Ajiboye (Kelly 46), Armstrong (Wearne 80)
Unused subs – Lewis, Mugabi, Davies
Boreham Wood – Ashmore, Coxe, Ilesanmi (Dixon 62), Bush, O’Connell, Sousa, Abdulmalik (Whelan 56), Reynolds, Clayden (Rush 56), Norris (Benton 97), White
Unused subs – Henry, King
Goals:
Carlisle United – (Kelly 49) (Linney 53, 71)
Boreham Wood – (Norris 40, 79) (O’Connell 85)
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United – (Wearne 88)
Boreham Wood – (O’Connell 86)
Red cards:
Carlisle United - N/A
Boreham Wood – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - James Westgate
Assistant Referee 1 - Paul Newhouse
Assistant Referee 2 - Zharir Mustafa
Fourth Official - Jacob Viera
Attendance – 8,741 (45 Away)
