In far from vintage fashion, Carlisle earned their first win in six games with a late Callum O’Hare goal.

Although Kyle Bennett replied to Hallam Hope’s deflected opener, it was not enough as Swindon suffered their first since January.

Steven Pressley made one change as play-maker Jamie Devitt returned from suspension to replace defensive midfielder Kelvin Etuhu, while Richie Wellens stuck with the starting XI that scored three last week.

Starting well, the Cumbrians were playing the attacking football which Pressley promised at Friday’s fans forum.

Hope gave his side the lead on 13 minutes – certainly unlucky for the Robins. Devitt’s pass was picked up by his teammate, who shielded the ball before having his shot take a deflection which wrong-footed goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

That strike made it 17 goal contributions (10 goals and seven assists) in his last 20 games for the Barbados international, but almost had another when he failed to take a chance shortly after.

Things were going well for Carlisle until striker Mark Cullen pulled up with a groin injury, bringing the mood down inside a wet Brunton Park as the Blackpool loaner was replaced by Sheffield United loan man Nathan Thomas. At the same time, the constantly animated Wellens showed his frustration by hooking Jack McCourt for Keshi Anderson.

Swindon smelled blood, and when Gary Liddle flew into a reckless challenge to take down Anderson on edge of the penalty area. Bennett stepped up, dinking the ball over the wall to equalise six minutes prior to the break.

Half-time: 1-1

Following the interval, the Robins were flying in a different shape. They bypassed a weak midfield, and it took Pressley 12 minutes to make a change – with Etuhu coming on for the anonymous Stefan Scougall.

It gave license to Regan Slater (who scored two in the reverse fixture) to roam, as he operated very well all afternoon.

That shored things up for the Cumbrians but Kaiyne Woolery and his fellow forwards were causing problems. Adam Collin was forced into a few saves, with centre backs Anthony Gerrard and Tom Parkes blocking and clearing on numerous occasions.

Gerrard was then almost pivotal at the other the end when Parkes headed down to him, but the man who Pressley described as ‘Championship level’ last night blazed over as Hope stretched in vain.

It became even more frustrating as Liddle headed in a Devitt free-kick, only for the linesman to hold up his flag.

However, the hosts finally found a way through when Thomas’ mazy run inside the box resulted in O’Hare getting a shot off in a tight area to net his first professional goal and lift the roof off a frustrated Brunton Park.

Unsurprisingly, it was Swindon who ended stronger but when their penalty appeal was waved away by Ben Toner, they knew it wasn’t their day. Wellens became more and more angry with his uncharacteristic team – with Thomas almost netting a third was Chilean stopper Vigouroux saved.

When the full-time whistle blew, it was visible relief for Pressley while Wellens engaged in some heated conversations with various parties on the pitch – with the Robins men showing their appreciation for the 345 travelling supporters.

The visitors head back to Wiltshire but travel to Stevenage on Tuesday before returning to the newly-bought County Ground as the Cumbrians welcome strugglers Notts County.

Attendance: 4,629 (345)

Home star man: Callum O’Hare

Away star man: Kaiyne Woolery

Referee: Ben Toner

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent