Carlisle United responded from Saturday's defeat to Blackpool in style with a 2-1 win over leaders Doncaster Rovers.

The away side had been unbeaten in ten games before they made the trip to Cumbria.

But, after a first-half volley by Nicky Adams and an own goal late in the second half by Donny defender Niall Mason, Carlisle returned to winning ways, despite a nervy final few moments after what proved to be a Doncaster consolation goal, scored by Tommy Rowe.

Adams arrived to volley home at the back post, meeting a John O'Sullivan cross on 34 minutes to give the Blues the lead.

The hosts then doubled their advantage on 84 minutes. Adams drove forward and passed to sub Jabo Ibehre who fired across goal, with Donny's Mason putting the ball through his own net.

The first opening of the contest had earlier fallen for the Blues as Jamie Proctor, returning from suspension to make his home debut as one of four changes to the United side, volleyed the ball across to Gary Liddle and Liddle drove an effort wide of Donny goalkeeper Ian Lawlor's left-hand post.

The influential John Marquis had Doncaster's first clear-cut chance of the match in the 19th minute, linking up with Andrew Williams to break through on goal, only to fire over Mark Gillespie's goal, before Adams broke the deadlock.

Minutes after the opening goal, stand-in skipper Michael Raynes thought he had doubled his team's lead when he met an Adams left-wing corner but the ball was hooked off the line and referee Tony Harrington had blown for a foul by Raynes anyway.

Conor Grant showed Donny could still cause problems for the Blues' nervy defence, however, with the final opportunity of note in the first period when he broke past a number of United players and flashed a delivery across the face of goal.

Seven minutes after the restart, Shaun Brisley had a glorious chance to double United's lead but was denied by Doncaster keeper Ian Lawlor, before Adams fired narrowly wide soon after.

An off-the-field incident then saw Macaulay Gillesphey and Matthew Blair both booked.

On 70 minutes, James Coppinger went down in the area. But referee Tony Harrington waved away the visitors' penalty appeals.

Stand-in captain Raynes had a golden opportunity to seal the win 12 minutes from time. But he headed a Luke Joyce left-wing cross over from point-blank range at the far post.

Joyce himself then found himself unmarked inside the Doncaster penalty box on 83 minutes after an Adams corner. His effort was deflected wide, though.

Rowe put the Cumbrians on edge for the final moments but Carlisle held out for all three points.

Recalled to face leaders Doncaster by Carlisle manager Keith Curle, along with striker Proctor, were Mike Jones, Reggie Lambe and Shaun Brisley.

Dropping to the bench from Saturday's team against Blackpool were Tom Miller, Shaun Miller, Jamie Devitt and George Waring.

There was also a change on the bench, with Max Crocombe not involved and youth keeper Morgan Bacon taking his place.

Doncaster recalled captain James Coppinger, while a late change to their line-up saw Joe Wright take the place of Andy Butler.

United: Gillespie, Liddle, Gillesphey, Raynes, Brisley, Jones, Joyce, Adams (Bailey 89), Lambe, O'Sullivan (Devitt 70), Proctor (Ibehre 76). Unused subs: Bacon, S Miller, T Miller, Waring.

Doncaster: Lawlor, Blair, Alcock, Wright, Mason, Houghton, Grant, Rowe, Coppinger, Williams (May 71), Marquis. Unused subs: Etheridge, Evina, Butler, Keegan, Middleton, McSheffrey.