Salford City 1 Carlisle United 1: Salford sub James Wilson denied Carlisle United victory after George Tanner had fired the Blues in front.

Wilson came off the bench to level in the 79th minute as the Blues were trying to hold on for the points.

Tanner's 11th-minute effort had given Chris Beech's side an early lead as they tried to become the first away side to win at the Peninsula Stadium in this League Two season.

But the Cumbrians had to settle for a point in their second game back after their latest enforced lay-off, and remain ninth in the table.

With Salford co-owners Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes among those watching from the stands, United made a positive start, Rhys Bennett heading an early chance over before Salford's Paul Coutts saw a goal disallowed for a foul.

Richie Towell then saw a shot deflected over for the hosts, before Carlisle got themselves in front.

After winning a throw down the left, the hosts stood off Nick Anderton as he crossed, and as it was then laid to Tanner, the right-back showed poise to drive a first-time shot low past keeper Vaclav Hladky.

It was the fit-again defender's second goal of the season and came against the side where he spent time on loan last term.

It capped a good opening from the Cumbrians as they pressed and competed in a better manner than they had at Harrogate.

Salford got their passing game going as things went on and Paul Farman made a superb save on 25 minutes from Ian Henderson, although the offside flag also came to United's aid.

Blues chances were scarce for the rest of the half as United struggled to hold the ball for long enough to make further attacking inroads, but Beech's side did their best to limit Salford's opportunities.

Aaron Hayden got in the way of a Towell effort before Robbie Gotts flashed a cross through the Blues box without reward.

Tanner lashed a shot wide and Hayden saw a header blocked early in the second half before Farman saved United with a vital stop as Jason Lowe broke clean through.

Ash Hunter saw a dangerous cross somehow evade attention before United failed to pick up Henderson, whose header was sharply saved by the impressive Farman.

At the other end, Anderton fired over from outside the box and Joe Riley put a free-kick wide for the Cumbrians.

Salford applied more pressure with Hunter and Gotts having shots around the hour mark, as both sides made changes, Offrande Zanzala and Lewis Alessandra joining the action for Carlisle.

But it was two of the home side's subs who were involved in their 79th-minute leveller, as Brandon Thomas-Asante was picked out from the right, and when his shot was saved by Farman, Wilson retrieved the ball, turned and found the net.

The hosts applied more pressure as they sought a late winner, with United unable to force any further chances themselves, but Henderson bobbled Salford's best attempt wide in added time.

United: Farman, Tanner, Anderton, Hayden, Bennett, Guy, Riley, Mellish, Dickenson (Alessandra 69), Patrick (Zanzala 64), Kayode. Not used: Norman, McDonald, Armer, Furman, Toure.

Goal: Tanner 11

Booked: Bennett, Mellish

Salford: Hladky, Touray (Wilson 75), Bernard, Eastham, Turnbull, Lowe, Hunter, Towell (Thomas-Asante 63), Gotts, Coutts, Henderson. Not used: Evans, James, Burgess, Threlkeld, Dieseruvwe. 

Goal: Wilson 79

Booked: Touray, Turnbull

Ref: Kevin Johnson.