10-man Carlisle came from behind to beat Bury in a box office game of League Two football at Brunton Park.
Jamie Devitt’s 28-second opener opened the floodgates, before Chris Stokes nabbed an unlikely double to put his side in the lead. Mike Jones was sent off late in the first half, as it looked as if the contest was over midway through.
The lively Callum O’Hare then equalised after half-time to give the blues a fighting chance, allowing Hallam Hope to euphorically seal victory late on, to cap off a magnificent second half showing.
The Shakers – backed by 728 supporters – were apparently not paid throughout March and have lost three consecutive games, making it their worst run of their campaign, but the Cumbrians earned a second win in 11.
Anthony Gerrard was dropped by Steven Pressley following a string of poor performances at the back, while Ryan Lowe – once again without the suspended Danny Mayor – made two changes as Ryan Cooney and Eoghan O’Connell came in for Neil Danns and Callum McFadzean; with former blue Nicky Adams captaining the side.
Devitt was the man given the armband by Pressley, after being taken off last weekend at Tranmere Rovers to many fans’ dismay, and made an instant impact. A slip in the Bury back line allowed the Irish play-maker to get in behind at slot past Joe Murphy to silence the huge travelling Shaker support.
Carlisle were dispondent as the Cumbrians were breached seven minutes later when left wing back Stokes found space at the back post to nod in a Jordan Rossiter cross.
The visitors then dominated possession, forcing the home team to drop deep. Carlisle were getting rash and Jones was cautioned after a late challenge of Cooney on the touch line.
Host man O’Hare had a rasping effort breeze past the post as the interval loomed, with Bury losing control of the affair.
However, the away team won a corner when Adam Collin spectacularly denied Nicky Maynard from the edge of the penalty area, and from the resulting corner, Stokes got his second from an Adams ball.
It was bad enough for the blues going into the break, but things got worse when Jones was awarded a second yellow card after bringing down Rangers loanee Rossiter close to the away technical area, as manager Ryan Lowe heavily appealed for Jones to be given his marching orders.
Rossiter gave wink on the way into the tunnel as the whistle blew and referee Chris Sarginson was booed off.
Half-time: 1-2
The blues made a change as Kelvin Etuhu entered the fray to face his former club – in place of the usual midfield stalwart Regan Slater – screening well in front of the back four, to make a vital impact on the game.
It seemed whatever team-talk Pressley gave worked, as five minutes in, Nathan Thomas managed to slip O’Hare through, who ghosted his way past a sleeping defence on the right of the box, to finish on the turn and equalise. Game on.
Shortly after, the Shakers could easily have regained their lead if it was not for some goalkeeping heroics. Man of the match Collin came to the rescue again for the Cumbrians to keep the scores level.
A phenomenal Gordon Banks-esque reaction save from Maynard left the Bury top scorer scratching his head as to how he had failed to bump his tally up to 19 this year. Carlisle fans were in awe of Collin’s brilliance, as the player of the year contender received a rapturous applause for keeping their side in the contest.
With 10 men, the Cumbrians were still on the back foot and the Shakers almost took the lead again when Maynard got around Peter Grant to get a shot away, but Gary Miller was on the line to sensationally clear.
Hope almost put the blues ahead on the break, forcing a stunning stop by Joe Murphy once O’Hare threaded him in on goal.
Bury came very close to scoring in Adams’ final contribution, as his low cross was met by McFadzean, before fellow substitute Caolan Lavery somehow headed wide of the far post in a scramble once Collin had saved well with his left foot.
The atmosphere was ramping up inside the stadium, likely one of the loudest crowd’s of the term.
Carlisle welcomed back Preston North End loan man Connor Simpson following a spell out of the side, as he replaced Devitt – another decision which did not go down well with most inside Brunton Park.
That move proved be an inspired one, as the Cumbrians miraculously won it in the dying embers. A poor Stefan Scougall corner was cleared, and O’Hare sent it back in for Simpson to hit back across goal for Hope to head into an empty net. Elation inside the ground heading into the final minute.
Pressley was dancing around his technical area with the result eventually meaning none of the last 18 meetings between these teams at Brunton Park ending in draws.
The Shakers kept going but ultimately failed to take advantage of their extra man, with the full-time whistle being blown soon after.
That result leaves Carlisle, who travel to Stevenage next weekend, just one point outside the play-off spots as they completed a league double against their opponents.
In contrasting mood, Bury drop out of the automatic promotion places as drama surrounds Gigg Lane – returning there to face Colchester United in seven days’ time.
Attendance: 4,656 (728)
Home star man: Adam Collin
Away star man: Chris Stokes
Referee: Chris Sarginson
words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent