Carlisle United's wait for a win in 2017 goes on after they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Accrington Stanley.

The hosts had Matty Pearson sent off after just 11 minutes at the Wham Stadium.

United then took the lead on 20 minutes through a close-range Jason Kennedy goal.

But the lead lasted just two minutes as Shay McCartan equalised with a long-range free-kick.

Keith Curle's side were unable to regain the lead against the depleted hosts despite plenty of second-half pressure.

They remain third in the table and three points clear of the play-off places, after fourth-placed Portsmouth saw their game at Crawley postponed.

Defender Pearson was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Macaulay Gillesphey in the 11th minute at the Wham Stadium.

Carlisle then took advantage of their extra man when Kennedy bundled home a left-wing cross in the 20th minute.

It was the midfielder's 12th goal of the season - although it may be credited as an Omar Beckles own-goal after the Stanley defender tried to clear off the line.

But the lead lasted only two minutes as McCartan levelled with a well-hit free-kick from long range which dipped over Mark Gillespie.

Nicky Adams later fired over and Charlie Wyke missed a great headed chance as Carlisle tried to get back on top.

United, with Joe McKee in the side for his first league start despite being transfer-listed, then applied more pressure after the break.

Luke Joyce tested home keeper Marek Rodak from distance, while McCartan shot just over the bar on the break for Accrington.

Kennedy was denied a second by a good Rodak save as Carlisle forced a string of corners.

But clear-cut chances were otherwise elusive, and Stanley almost snatched a late winner, but Gillespie saved well from Harvey Rodgers.

There were two further changes to the United side, with Michael Raynes and Shaun Miller recalled in a 3-5-2 system.

Along with McKee, they replaced Alex McQueen, Jamie Devitt and Reggie Lambe, the latter on international duty with Bermuda.

Mark Ellis and Shaun Brisley - also made available for transfer by boss Curle - were unused substitutes.

United: Gillespie, Liddle, Gillesphey, Raynes, T Miller (Devitt 63), McKee (Ibehre 63), Joyce, Kennedy, Adams, Wyke, S Miller. Not used: Crocombe, Ellis, Brisley, Salkeld, McQueen.

Accrington: Rodak, Pearson, Hughes, Beckles, Rodgers, McConville, Conneely, Davies (Donacien 59), Boco, McCartan (Clare 80), Kee. Not used: Clark, Gornell, Hewitt, Chapman, Edwards.