Newport County 2 Carlisle United 2: Zach Clough's penalty earned the Blues their first point for a month on a night Newport had two players sent off.
The Cumbrians, under caretaker boss Gavin Skelton, ended their four-game losing run and wait for a goal on an eventful and rainswept night in south Wales.
Joe Riley shot the Blues ahead after just 38 seconds before Dom Telford's double put the hosts in front before half-time.
Carlisle, though, fought back and after Ed Upson was sent off for handling a Brad Young shot, Clough made it 2-2 from the spot.
The Exiles lost Ryan Haynes to a second yellow card in the closing stages but United couldn't make their two-man advantage count.
The Blues remain second bottom of League Two on goal difference as they chalked up their first point under interim boss Skelton.
Newport confirmed the appointment of new boss James Rowberry before the game, though caretaker Wayne Hatswell took the team for the final time here. As for Carlisle, Skelton made two changes, handing Taylor Charters his first league start since March and also recalling Riley, as Jack Armer and Corey Whelan were dropped.
Sam Fishburn and Jonathan Dinzeyi were added to the bench, though Tristan Abrahams was left out of the squad completely for the game against his former club, whose XI was unchanged.
With Riley and Dickenson in the full-back positions, Carlisle stunned the hosts with a goal inside the first minute.
It came as Riley and Clough linked in an attractive right-sided move, Riley eventually going through to fire inside Joe Day's near post.
It ended United's six-hour wait for a goal, but Newport sought to respond immediately, Telford going close from a Matty Dolan corner.
Carlisle keeper Mark Howard, on his second appearance, saved a Dolan free-kick before Day kept out a Jordan Gibson attempt at the other end.
United had penalty appeals waved away when Lewis Alessandra went down, and eventually Newport found a way back.
Telford brought them level on 27 minutes after ref David Rock played an advantage from a Morgan Feeney foul. Haynes' cross evaded Rod McDonald and Telford turned and fired home.
Three minutes later Carlisle were behind, Telford on target again after running unchallenged from the right before his low shot beat Howard's attempted save.
United struggled to make any further impact on the first half as Newport, growing in confidence, further tested a shaky-looking defence.
Oliver Cooper saw a shot deflect against the post via Feeney, a heavy touch from Courtney Baker-Richardson cost him a great chance, while Dolan sent another free-kick just wide.
United could not do any damage from an early flurry of corners after the break, while Newport's Robbie Willmott fired over the bar when teed up in space outside the box.
But a double change then saw Carlisle get back into things, Armer replacing Alessandra and Young on for Jon Mellish as Dickenson pushed forward and Charters moved inside from his left midfield position.
Dickenson's driving run and cross down the left on 67 minutes led to United's leveller, as Gibson hit the post and Young's follow-up was handled by Upson.
The Newport man was shown a straight red card as Clough beat Day from the penalty spot.
It left United level and attacking against 10 men for the final 20 minutes, Clough wasting a good chance on the break before Baker-Richardson hit the bar at the other end.
The lively Gibson was denied by Day while the Blues failed to make any impact from more set-pieces.
The home keeper superbly kept out a late Clough curler as Skelton sent on teenage striker Sam Fishburn for his debut in the closing stages.
United couldn't find a winner against the nine men but will overall be satisfied with a point that ends their recent woeful sequence - and was some reward for their 108 hardy travelling fans in the rain.
Newport: Day, Norman, Clarke, Dolan, Demetriou, Haynes, Upson, Willmott, Cooper (Azaz 70), Telford (Fisher 82), Baker-Richardson (Lewis 87). Not used: Townsend, Ellison, Cain, Abraham.
Goals: Telford 27, 30
Booked: Haynes. Sent off: Upson, Haynes.
United: Howard, Riley, Dickenson, Feeney, McDonald, Guy, Mellish (Young 61), Charters, Clough (Fishburn 89), Gibson, Alessandra (Armer 61). Not used: Jensen, Dinzeyi, Whelan, Mampala.
Goals: Riley 1, Clough 67pen
Booked: McDonald, Mellish
Ref: David Rock.
Crowd: 2,962 (108 United fans)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel