Carlisle United return to action tonight three days after their trip home from Stevenage turned into a nightmare.

Players and other Blues personnel were left at the Lamex Stadium for more than three hours after a fault meant they could not travel on their team coach.

The United squad and several members of coaching and backroom staff were waiting for the problem to be resolved as the News & Star left the ground at 6pm.

It was not until after 8pm that a minibus and taxis were arranged to transport the Carlisle contingent, which included chairman Andrew Jenkins.

Taxis took certain players to their cars which been parked en route prior to them joining the team bus on their way south on Friday.

Others remained in the minibus as it got back to Carlisle around 2am on Sunday - more than nine hours after their 3-2 victory in Hertfordshire.

It is not the first time United have suffered problems with their team coach this season, it is understood.

United did not respond to requests for comment yesterday. Coach firm Reays said they did not wish to comment.

Jenkins, though, has since used his programme notes to describe what happened.

The veteran co-owner said the air pressure in the suspension failed on the bus.

"This meant the bus was unsafe for travel, and an alternative means of getting home had to be found," Jenkins added.

"Myself, the staff and players had a frustrating wait, and in the end we took it upon ourselves to book taxis and a minibus, and we made our own way back to Carlisle.

"This was not ideal at all, and hopefully it is not a situation that we will face again."