Jabo Ibehre came back to haunt Carlisle and rescued a valuable point for Cambridge as they continued their good form in a battle of the CUFCs.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy gave the Us the lead early on, which was cancelled out a Jamie Devitt equaliser and Nathan Thomas’ goal in added-time of the first half but it still was not enough to give then a first win in this fixture at Brunton Park since 1996.

Steven Pressley went for an unchanged side while Colin Calderwood had to deal with Reggie Lambe on international duty and made four changes but keeping former blue hero Ibehre in the starting XI proved vital.

It was a perfect start for Cambridge, as they took the lead through Hepburn-Murphy. Jevani Brown played a lovely through ball which beat Tom Parkes, and the returning striker brushed it across goal past Adam Collin.

Following a lull, the frustrated Brunton Park were almost given a Carlisle equaliser when Devitt flashed wide of the far post with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

With tension building, Callum O’Hare decided to make something out of nothing and weaved his way through before teeing up Devitt got a power effort – which hit the crossbar in its way into the back of the net. Game well and truly on.

The U’s almost regained their lead when Hepburn-Murphy narrowly failed to beat Adam Collin, as the ball stuck between his legs.

Just as it was heading to all-square at the break, Thomas glided in the right of the box to slot home past Dimitar Mitov; another O’Hare assist.

Many would have thought the Cumbrians were in a stable position but the next half proved otherwise.

Half-time: 2-1

After the interval, Hallam Hope almost doubled the lead as his strike flashed wide.

10 minutes later, Ibehre nearly pulled level. Forcing Collin into an excellent save once Hayden Coulson beat Gary Miller on the left wing.

From the resulting corner, George Taft somehow put his header over the crossbar – to the Cumbrian’s relief.

In the next phase, Ibehre did convert. He used a trademark move of getting in front of the centre back to play a quick one-two with Brown to poke home.

As the closing stages loomed, Hope had the chance for a 13th goal of the season but somehow hit the crossbar when Regan Slater did well to set him up.

Although it was the hosts who were pushing for a winner, Brown almost nabbed all three points for the away team when Anthony Gerrard failed to clear at the back. The visitors bench was ready to celebrate until Collin used his body well to deny a decisive goal.

The final time whistle blew to make it a ninth consecutive neeting where the home side failed to win.

Pressure is mounting on Pressley with a trip across the Mersey to Tranmere next Saturday, in hope of making in two wins from the past 10, while Calderwood welcomes another CUFC in Colchester to the Abbey.

Attendance: 4,673 (214)

Home star man: Mike Jones

Away star man: Jabo Ibehre

Referee: Andy Haines

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent