Barrow AFC 2 Carlisle United 2: Carlisle United needed an Offrande Zanzala penalty to rescue a point against Cumbrian rivals Barrow.

The striker was fouled by James Jones and stepped up to convert the spot-kick in the 78th minute to make it 2-2.

United had earlier led through a third-minute Jack Armer goal before Scott Quigley and ex-Blues man Patrick Brough hit back to put the Bluebirds in front.

The hosts had chances to kill the game off, while there was controversy in ref Seb Stockbridge's refusal to dismiss Barrow's Neal Eardley for what appeared a second bookable offence.

United toiled to get back into things but left the Progression Solicitors Stadium with a point, which sees them 10th, three points outside the play-off places.

While Carlisle boss Chris Beech named an unchanged side, with fit-again midfielder Danny Devine back among the subs, Barrow's Rob Kelly made two changes.

Ex-Carlisle man Jamie Devitt missed out, while Jason Taylor dropped to the bench as Neal Eardley and Chris Taylor stepped up.

United then made the dream start when they forced a corner on the right, and Callum Guy's delivery found Armer free, the young defender powering home a header for his first senior goal.

Carlisle had made the better start with Joe Riley shooting wide on 15 minutes.

But other serious chances were elusive and Barrow soon forced their way back into things.

After Brad Barry almost set up Quigley, the Bluebirds levelled when they kept Ollie Banks' free-kick alive on the edge of the box, and the flag stayed down as top scorer Quigley turned and send a fine low finish past Paul Farman in the 19th minute.

Kelly's side were keen to take further advantage of United at the back, with Luke James' busy pressing combining with Quigley's robust line-leading in an effective spell from the hosts.

And they took the lead on 24 minutes when Quigley charged down a Rod McDonald clearance before Brough arrived from the left, the former United man beating George Tanner with a cute touch before slotting past Farman.

Carlisle struggled to fashion more chances while a combative game saw a controversial moment in the 36th minute.

It came when Eardley, already booked, fouled Lewis Alessandra on the United left. Ref Stockbridge allowed play to continue but when the ball finally went out of play, he declined to show the Barrow man a second yellow - to Carlisle's disbelief.

Barrow, though, appeared a streetwise side in how they continued to unsettle United's shaky back line, applying more pressure late in the half, while Riley cleared the bar before the break for Carlisle.

Kelly replaced Eardley at the break with Jason Taylor, while United continued to struggle to create anything from their largely direct play.

Alessandra shot well wide from a rare opening and after Quigley twice almost got in on the break, Beech made two changes, bringing on Gime Toure and Nick Anderton for Tanner and Riley.

Barrow then almost got a third when Quigley again got the better of McDonald but Farman was sharply out to deny Chris Taylor.

Aaron Hayden did come close to a leveller when he headed a Guy free-kick across goal and narrowly wide 18 minutes from time.

But Barrow then spurned another chance when James looked to pounce in the box but missed the target after Carlisle failed to clear their lines.

And they were made to pay when United finally did then equalise, as Zanzala was brought down by Jones as they competed for a high ball into the box.

The striker then stepped up and sent Dixon the wrong way from the penalty spot.

At the other end, Barrow were denied the chance to regain the lead when Farman saved from James, while Zanzala and Toure almost opened something up for United with five minutes remaining.

In the closing stages keeper Dixon had to claw away a cross, while Patrick couldn't connect properly with an Alessandra cross as it ended honours even at Holker Street, Barrow remaining six points above the relegation zone.

Barrow: Dixon, Brough, Ntlhe, Thomas, Eardley (J Taylor 46), Jones, Banks (Andrew 82), Barry, C Taylor (Beadling 79), James, Quigley. Not used: Moloney, Kay, Sea.

Goals: Quigley 19, Brough 24.

Booked: Eardley, Quigley.

United: Farman, Tanner (Anderton 63), Armer (Devine 90), McDonald, Hayden, Guy, Riley (Toure 63), Mellish, Alessandra, Patrick, Zanzala. Not used: Norman, Charters, Furman, Walker.

Goals: Armer 3, Zanzala 78pen.

Booked: Armer, Tanner, Mellish.

Ref: Sebastian Stockbridge.