Carlisle United 1 Pirelli FC 0: Carlisle United’s youngsters left it very late to get past Pirelli in the Cumberland Cup – thanks to a controversial late penalty.

Sub Keighran Kerr made no mistake from the spot in the 88th minute to send the Blues into the third round.

Their opponents, though, were aggrieved at the awarding of the spot-kick, ref John Mulligan only pointing to the spot after his linesman had flagged for a challenge on Kerr.

Pirelli forward Scott Priest was sent off as the part-time side protested.

The tie, held at Penrith's Frenchfield Park, had otherwise seen a young United team struggle to break down their opponents.

A tight first half of few real chances saw Pirelli battling hard and making it a tough night for Carlisle, who had coach Paul Murray in charge.

United struggled to open up their aggressive opponents and they suffered a blow on 20 minutes when Jack Egan limped off with an ankle injury.

A Charlie Barnes cross dipped just over the bar for the Blues while a good inswinging free-kick from Josh Galloway deserved a better outcome.

Pirelli, though, then forced the best opening on 30 minutes, as the ball broke for Ricky James on the right, but Ben Davidson failed to make proper contact with his low cross at the far post.

Matty Story then rifled over from a good position for Pirelli after Barnes miskicked.

United stepped things up after the interval but still found the breakthrough hard to come by, keeper Luke Miller saving a Taylor Charters header, Max Brown then heading Barnes’ cross straight at the Pirelli No1 and a last-ditch tackle denying Galloway.

A Galloway free-kick was too close to Miller with 15 minutes to go before Kerr, on for Brown, won it at the death.

United: Gray, Barnes, Brockbank, Casson, Olsen, Wilson, Egan (Galloway 20), Adewusi, Brown (Kerr 79), Charters (Papa 68), McCarron. Not used: Ward, Kelly.

Pirelli: Miller, Hodgson, Campbell, Dickinson, Robley, Davidson, James, Stalker, Priest, James (R Cowley 83), Story. Not used: J Cowley, Pritchard Farish, Lewis.