United were given a tough test in a 3-3 draw against a resolute Curzon Ashton side at the Tameside Stadium this evening.
The Blues led through David Ajiboye early on, but Joel Amado equalised before half-time for the Nash.
Cedwyn Scott regained the lead for Mark Hughes’ side after the break before the hosts’ trialist levelled shortly after.
Alex Curran gave the National League North team the lead with less than 20 minutes to go, but Archie Davies equalised for Carlisle four minutes later to secure a draw in Greater Manchester.
Only Harry Lewis remained in the starting line-up from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Harrogate Town, with Blues’ latest signing Bevis Mugabi making his first appearance.
United were ahead within five minutes when Ajiboye found space on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area and curled a stunning strike into the bottom right corner.
Ajiboye nearly had a second two minutes later, guiding Cameron Harper’s cross onto the roof of Hawkins’ net.
Luke Griffiths had the first opportunity for the hosts with his free-kick drifting narrowly wide of the mark.
Harper started to make inroads on the left wing for United, firstly getting onto a Georgie Kelly flick-on and finding Ajiboye, whose header was blocked before the Scottish left-back again received the ball on the flank, crossing for Kelly to glance wide.
The Nash drew level in the 32nd minute through Joel Amado, who powered a header from a Jack Stobbs corner past Lewis in the United goal.
Jimmy Spencer stung the palms of Lewis with a snapshot from inside the Blues’ penalty area as the hosts grew in confidence.
HALF-TIME: Curzon Ashton 1-1 Carlisle United
Some incisive passing saw United work the ball out to the Trialist, who drove forwards before curling an effort wide.
The Blues retook the lead in the 59th minute with the Trialist winning the ball back in the Nash’s half and delivering a delightful cross for Scott to tap in at the back post.
Curzon Ashton were quick to respond with their Trialist calmly finishing past Lewis to draw them level in the 62nd minute after a neat cut back from Joe Rodwell-Grant.
The hosts were given the opportunity to take the lead in the 71st minute, when referee Oliver Noonan adjudged Jack Porter to have tripped the Trialist, and Curran made no mistake from the following spot kick.
United were back level four minutes later with Archie Davies hammering a shot from range, with the pace of the strike beating Hawkins to his right-hand side.
FULL-TIME: Curzon Ashton 3-3 Carlisle United
Teams:
Curzon Ashton – Hawkins (Ollerenshaw 82), Sobowale (Stokes 68), Poscha, Amado, Stobbs (Connolly 82), Spencer (McLean 45), Rodwell-Grant (Barber 82), Holmes (Weston 45), Darby (Curran 45), Griffiths (Trialist 45), Richards (Stafford 68)
Carlisle United – Lewis, Davies, Atkinson, Mugabi (Porter 45), Harper, Robson, Lowes, Scott, Trialist, Ajiboye, Kelly (O’Donoghue 45)
Subs – Sillitoe, Mason, Rigby, Lambert, Hodgson
Goals:
Curzon Ashton – (Amado 32) (Trialist 62) (Curran 72)
Carlisle United – (Ajiboye 5) (Scott 59) (Davies 74)
Yellow cards:
Curzon Ashton - (Rodwell-Grant)
Carlisle United - N/A
Red cards:
Curzon Ashton - N/A
Carlisle United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee – Oliver Noonan
Assistant Referee – Mark Bates
Assistant Referee – Ashton Wroe
Fourth Official – N/A
Attendance: 396
