Carlisle United 3 Bury 2: Hallam Hope headed a late winner against his former club to give 10-man Carlisle United a dramatic and much-needed victory against Bury.

The forward met a cross from sub Connor Simpson to clinch a five-goal thriller for the Cumbrians in the 89th minute.

That capped an absorbing contest which saw United score after 28 seconds, then go behind to two Chris Stokes goals and also lose Mike Jones to a red card before half-time.

Callum O'Hare then shot them level before the dramatic finale, which took Steven Pressley's side a point outside the play-off places in eighth position.

The Blues were also thankful to Adam Collin for a superb goalkeeping display.

Jamie Devitt put Carlisle ahead inside the first minute before a more challenging first half unfolded.

Midfielder Devitt, captain for the day with Danny Grainger injured and Anthony Gerrard dropped, took advantage after Shakers defender Ryan Cooney slipped, keeping a calm head to slot low past Joe Murphy.

Carlisle, though, were unable to capitalise on their fastest goal of the season as the third-placed Shakers came back.

After Eoghan O'Connell went close, the visitors levelled on eight minutes when Stokes ghosted in unmarked at the far post to volley home Jordan Rossiter's floated cross in the eighth minute.

Carlisle, with Hope recalled to the side for Gerrard, struggled to get a foothold for a long spell as Bury dominated play.

With captain Nicky Adams supplying crosses from the right against his former club, Rossiter fired over and Nicky Maynard was denied by Collin after an O'Connell ball over the Blues defence.

Collin then made a vital close-range save when Byron Moore looked set to put the Shakers in front.

Jones saw yellow for a poor challenge on Cooney before Carlisle came back into things with a O'Hare shot that flashed wide and Nathan Thomas and O'Hare having further attempts.

The half, though, ended badly for the Cumbrians on two counts.

First, after Collin had superbly denied Maynard, the resulting corner was headed home at the back post by Stokes.

Two minutes later Jones lost possession and then brought down Rossiter, ref Chris Sarginson showing the ex-Bury midfielder a second yellow card in first-half added time.

Pressley readjusted at the break, bringing on Kelvin Etuhu for Regan Slater in midfield.

And within minutes United were level when O'Hare ghosted behind a static Bury defence to collect Thomas' pass and drill his second Blues goal past Murphy.

Collin was then in inspired form to keep the Shakers at bay, saving superbly from Maynard and Moore.

At the other end, Carlisle worked a couple of good openings for Hope, but he was denied by Murphy.

Gary Liddle then saw off a dangerous Adams cross before Carlisle ended the game in style.

Sub Stefan Scougall's corner was poor, but the next delivery from O'Hare found Simpson at the far post.

The teenager's cross flew across goal and Hope was free to nod home his 14th of the season and give United's play-off hopes a much-needed boost.

United: Collin, Miller, Parkes, Grant, Liddle, Jones, Slater (Etuhu 46), O'Hare, Devitt (Simpson 85), Thomas (Scougall 63), Hope. Not used: Gray, Gerrard, Kennedy, Branthwaite.

Bury: Murphy, Stokes, Thompson, Wharton (Telford 63), O'Connell (Lavery 73), Cooney, Rossiter, O'Shea, Adams (McFadzean 82), Moore, Maynard. Not used: Moloney, Miller, Omotayo, Danns.

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