Jabo Ibehre scored on his return from injury for Carlisle but two late goals gave Notts County the points.

Ibehre made an immediate impact off the bench, however, late goals from Jon Stead and Matt Tootle meant it was the Magpies who came away with the win.

The 34-year-old striker Ibehre did have a chance for a second in stoppage-time but that time he was denied as County's former Carlisle keeper Adam Collin stood strong, with Notts holding out for the victory.

The return to the fray of Ibehre and Jason Kennedy just before the hour mark brought arguably the biggest cheer of the afternoon. But there was an even bigger cheers moments later as Ibehre found the net, before the Blues' day unravelled in the final minutes of normal time.

The Mapgies had made the slightly better start in the first 10 minutes but neither side were able to create a real opening early on.

Finally, Carlisle did gather a bit of momentum with Reggie Lambe missing the target with his effort from outside the area.

Shaun Brisley then cleared Shola Ameobi’s header off the line after the ball had been stood up to the back post by Matt Tootle on the 24th minute.

As the clocked ticked towards the half hour mark, there were two chances in quick succession at either end. Mark Gillespie punched away a Robert Milsom corner which looked like it could have been sneaking in. Gillespie then launched a counter, throwing the ball to Lambe. The ball eventually found its way to John O’Sullivan who crossed and Devitt blazed over.

On the stroke of half-time, Jorge Grant curled wide as the first half ended goalless.

The visitors made a good start to the second half.

Adam Campbell volleyed over when he should really have done better on the 50th minute.

Just before the hour mark, Ibehre and Kennedy came off the bench with the "The Islington Assassin" latching his shot past Cumbrian Collin to break the deadlock.

For much of the final half hour, United looked like they would hold on for three valuable points.

But an attempted clearance from Brisley left Gillespie stranded, leaving Stead to tap into the empty net.

Then, in the final minute of normal time, Gillespie got behind a Tootle effort but the ball still managed to squirm away from his grasp and into the bottom corner.

Carlisle remain in the League Two play-offs but three sides, Blackpool, Cambridge and Colchester, are all now only two points behind them.

Keith Curle had made one change from the starting line-up which beat Yeovil last Saturday.

Jamie Devitt replacing Luke Joyce who dropped to the bench.

Cumbrian Collin started in goal for the visitors.

Ben Tomlinson, Alex McQueen, James Hooper and Joe Ward are among those who missed out on the Blues' squad altogether.

Carlisle: Gillespie, Grainger (c), Raynes, Proctor (Joyce 79), Brisley, Bailey, Devitt (Ibehre 57), O'Sullivan, Lambe (Kennedy 57), Miller, Liddle.

Carlisle unused subs: Crocombe, Waring, Joachim, Nabi.

Notts County: Collin, Tootle, Dickinson (Bola 79), Duffy, Hollis (c), Ameobi, Milsom (Campbell 84), Grant, Hewitt, Campbell (O'Connor 67), Stead.

Notts County unused subs: Searson-Smithard, Smith, Forte, Clackstone.

Attendance: 4,361 (295 Notts County).

Carlisle goals: Ibehre (57).

Notts County goal: Stead (85), Tootle (89).