Carlisle United succumbed to a late Scott High strike to draw 3-3 with Solihull Moors at Damson Park.
Georgie Kelly grabbed a hat-trick for United, but two goals from Darius Lipsiuc and High’s injury-time leveller saw the points shared.
Mark Hughes made nine changes from the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Chatham Town last weekend, with latest signing Ryan Galvin starting at left back, while Chris Conn-Clarke returned to the starting line-up for the first time since a period out through injury.
United led within five minutes, after Josh Williams worked hard to regain possession in midfield, the Blues countered with Harvey Macadam getting space to cross on the right, finding Kelly, whose initial header was saved, but he fired home in the resulting goalmouth scramble.
The Irish striker nearly had a second in the 10th minute when Regan Linney’s fierce cross flew across the six-yard box to Kelly, but he failed to direct his effort on target.
A deft pick out from Conn-Clarke found the onrushing Macadam, who powered a header at goal, but Laurie Walker pulled off an acrobatic save to turn the ball over the crossbar.
Gabe Breeze showed his sharp reflexes to turn away Cameron Green’s powerful effort from the edge of the box as the Moors tried to respond to the Blues’ opener.
Chris Millington's side were level in the 26th minute through Lipsiuc, who caressed a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
High and James Clarke both hit shots off target from outside the box as the Moors looked build on their equaliser.
An Elliot Embleton corner fell to Conn-Clarke in the 36th minute, but he failed to keep his volley down, and it sailed over the bar.
Lipsiuc grabbed a second in the 37th minute when he raced through on goal and slid the ball underneath Breeze, who had rushed out to narrow the angle.
Conn-Clarke looked to deliver a cross from the right flank, but his ball curved towards goal and nearly dropped under the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Solihull Moors 2-1 Carlisle United
Conor Wilkinson tried his luck from a free-kick 35 yards out, and his effort dipped just over the crossbar.
A neatly worked short corner involving Embleton and Conn-Clarke saw the latter deliver a cross which found Morgan Feeney, but his header was tame.
The Moors came close to having a third and Lipsiuc a hat-trick when Joe Sbarra found him inside the box, but Breeze was a match for the hosts’ winger’s effort.
Some intricate footwork from Wilkinson allowed the Moors forward a chance to test Breeze, which the Blues’ stopper saved.
United were back on level terms in the 66th minute, with Macadam’s delightful cross was beautifully taken down by Kelly on his chest, and he fired past Walker.
Kelly scored his hat-trick and the Blues’ third in the 70th minute when the ball dropped to him from Conn-Clarke’s corner, and he stooped low to head home.
Conn-Clarke looked to add a fourth, driving through midfield and flashing a shot just wide of the right upright.
High drew the game level in the 93rd minute, chipping the ball into the back of the net after he picked up Breeze’s punch on the edge of the box.
FULL-TIME: Solihull Moors 3-3 Carlisle United
Teams:
Solihull Moors: Walker, Clarke, Green, Whitmore, Wilkinson, Lipsiuc (Stevensonn 79), High, Tipton (Worman 79), Wakeling (Sonupe 74), Sbarra, French
Not used: Flahavan, McFarlane, Rutherford
Carlisle United: Breeze, Williams, Feeney, Hayden, Galvin (Harper 63), Gilliead, Macadam, Embleton (Ellis 63), Conn-Clarke (Mugabi 90), Kelly, Linney
Not used: Lewis, Ajiboye, Whelan, Wearne
Goals:
Solihull Moors – (Lipsiuc 26, 37) (High 93)
Carlisle United – (Kelly 4, 66, 70)
Yellow cards:
Solihull Moors – (Green 69) (Stevenson 85)
Carlisle United – (Hayden 14) (Embleton 49) (Feeney 54)
Red cards:
Solihull Moors– N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Steven Copeland
Assistant Referee 1 - Kevin Morris
Assistant Referee 2 - Christopher Husband
Fourth Official - Jason Porter
Attendance:
1956 (720 away)
