Who were the best opponents faced by Carlisle United last season?

On their journey to 10th in League Two, Carlisle enjoyed better days than in earlier relegation battles. Yet there were times when the other side proved too good.

The below is an XI selected on the basis of how they played - and shone - against Keith Curle's team last season

GOALKEEPER Trevor Carson (Hartlepool)

It may not have been a vintage season for great fourth-tier goalkeeping, but a few honourable mentions can be made. Northampton's Adam Smith received many end-of-season plaudits, but he wasn't given a severe working-over by Carlisle in their encounters last term.

Luke McCormick of Plymouth is another consistent performer, but Hartlepool's last line of defence had more on his plate overall, and in the main dealt with it impressively. Against United at Brunton Park, the Northern Irishman Carson was a particularly strong barrier, making a cluster of outstanding saves.

It took a deflected, looping Hallam Hope effort to beat him, Carlisle having failed with more conventional methods.

DEFENDER George Baldock (Oxford)

Many of Oxford's headlines last season were made by the electric Kemar Roofe as they surged to promotion in second place. Others, like the creative Callum O'Dowda and the robust Che Dunkley, also helped Michael Appleton's team along.

At right-back, though, there was a dynamic contribution from MK Dons loanee Baldock when United earned a point at the Kassam Stadium in December.

A bustling run laid on a goal for Alex MacDonald, and Baldock was consistent enough for the Us to be recalled by Dons boss Karl Robinson in February.

DEFENDER David Buchanan (Northampton)

Rochdale-born Buchanan has crossed Carlisle's path several times before, with Bury, Tranmere and Preston, but this season the 30-year-old emerged as a significant, experienced head in Northampton's remarkable charge to the League Two title.

The Cobblers nailed United with a 4-1 victory at Brunton Park in early March, and Buchanan's doggedness at left-back was among the reasons Keith Curle's side were chasing the game throughout.

An organiser as well as a sound defender, Buchanan had plenty to say when Curle declared his surprise at Northampton's runaway status - and later when Oxford's Appleton declared his own side the best in the division. Buchanan, it is fair to say, had earned his right to answer back.

DEFENDER Christian Burgess (Portsmouth)

Although the season ended in play-off defeat for Pompey, 2015/16 certainly saw Burgess's reputation enhanced. Or at least it did when he faced Carlisle.

In November, although Burgess conceded a penalty, the former Hartlepool and Peterborough was otherwise imperious, as United relied on an unlikely right-footed thunderbolt from Danny Grainger to save a point. At Fratton Park in early April, Carlisle then drew a blank, and the consistent defending of the ponytailed Burgess was a significant reason for this.

Only 24, he ought to be a key presence in a promotion drive for Paul Cook's men next year.

DEFENDER Paul Robinson (Wimbledon)

Perhaps the most unsightly goal conceded by Carlisle all season came at AFC Wimbledon, when sub keeper Dan Hanford parried a free-kick and a cluster of players hurtled towards it.

The ball ended up in the net because centre-half Robinson made sure he got there first - a theme of his enduring career. The Barnet-born player became a major part of a successful Millwall team, and as his career entered its twilight years, he has found a home at Wimbledon after a stint at Portsmouth.

Last season the 34-year-old was consistency itself, a resolute member of a side on the up, and there are surely many League Two managers who would love to have had such a man in their back four.

MIDFIELDER John-Joe O'Toole (Northampton)

The second member of this XI to have a ponytail swishing behind him, O'Toole was a giant when Northampton came to Carlisle and demonstrated exactly why they were superior to all others in League Two.

When the game's tone was being set, the 27-year-old stood out. His presence in midfield was essential to the Cobblers' dominance, and he also chipped in with two goals to take the game away from United. 

It took a while for the former Watford trainee to fully stand out at the Sixfields Stadium, but last season there was a good reason why Northampton fans sang 'We've got O'Toole' on their way up to the third tier.

MIDFIELDER Ricky Holmes (Northampton)

League Two's player of the year cannot be omitted here, for Holmes was another member of Chris Wilder's side who showed enough quality on that March afternoon to account for the Cumbrians.

Holmes had shown at times for Portsmouth against United why he was regarded highly, but it is at Northampton where he has truly flourished. In their 4-1 win, Holmes often pulled the most dynamic strings. He did not score himself, but his probing and passing around the Carlisle box was close to a masterclass.

One assist for O'Toole was precision itself. A scorer of spectacular goals, the 28-year-old is as much maker as taker.

MIDFIELDER Jamie Devitt (Morecambe)

For one-and-a-half games there is a case for saying the floating Devitt was the most creative player Carlisle faced in the league last season. Small wonder he was hailed as Morecambe's player of the year by the end.

United had a mighty job on their hands in denying Devitt the space he loves, between the lines of midfield and attack. The Shrimps' counter-attacking 3-2 win at Brunton Park in October was orchestrated by Devitt's nudges, glances and through balls.

In the first half of the return game, he again knifed United's defence wide open several times. Carlisle's late comeback in Lancashire changed the tone, but Devitt shone as Morecambe slumped, and the former Hull man's name must be on a few other managers' minds.

MIDFIELDER Graham Carey (Plymouth)

Plymouth are going to Wembley, courtesy of Peter Hartley's bundled play-off semi-final winner against Portsmouth - but for more subtle qualities in Derek Adams' side, Carey is often the place to look.

The Irish schemer followed Adams to Devon from Ross County and swiftly established himself as their creative force. Carlisle's early-season trip to Home Park was an odd one, as the Blues dominated the first half yet still contrived to lose 4-1.

A major reason was Carey, who impressed in the periods when Plymouth got the better of Curle's defence. It was for good reason that League Two managers voted the 26-year-old, who contributed 10 goals, the sixth best player in their division.

FORWARD Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers)

While Roofe's performances were often of the highest class, there is a school of thought that argues for Taylor as an alternative player of the year.

Certainly, no striker finished the season in more voracious form. From March onwards, the former non-league frontman was unstoppable, scoring 13 goals in Bristol Rovers' last 14 games as they rose to promotion. One of those came at Brunton Park, when Taylor squeezed home the sort of goal only available to strikers in the rarest form.

Earlier in the campaign, his predatory finishing settled a rainswept game at the Memorial Stadium, as Carlisle fell 2-0. Will be one to watch in the third tier, without doubt.

FORWARD Jay Simpson (Leyton Orient)

Simpson was a more established name than many of his goalscoring contemporaries last season but that takes nothing away from his record at a seemingly unstable club.

The former Arsenal, QPR and Millwall player set a superb early tone, scoring 11 in the Os' first 15 games, and while he was thwarted when Carlisle won at the Matchroom Stadium in September, he certainly wasn't at Brunton Park.

Orient were dismal in the first half in that March encounter, but a half-time reshuffle by boss Kevin Nolan saw Ollie Palmer partner the previous isolated Simpson. The results were instant, as the 27-year-old swept forward to score a clinical equaliser.

Ended the season on 25 goals, despite the London club's struggle for calm under the Francesco Becchetti regime. If they are ever to reach calmer waters, Simpson's scoring instincts will be key.