Shrewsbury Town 3-2 Carlisle United: Late goal sends injury-hit Blues out of Carabao Cup

The League One hosts' defender Dunkley pounced from close range in the 86th minute of the first round tie.

That decided a five-goal contest in which Paul Simpson's Blues had led before coming from behind at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Ryan Edmondson slotted United in front on 13 minutes after good work by Sonny Hilton.

Ryan Edmondson, second right, is congratulated after his opener

But the goalscorer then had to go off in the 36th minute, as Kristian Dennis took his place.

Luke Leahy levelled with a free-kick shortly before half-time, and Dan Udoh fired Steve Cotterill's hosts in front on 75 minutes.

Dennis, though, made it 2-2 when firing home a pass from sub Owen Moxon in the 82nd minute.

But Dunkley struck four minutes later to knock Simpson's side out of the competition, on a night when the decisions of ref Chris Pollard and his assistants left the Cumbrians aggrieved.

United will now be sweating on Edmondson's fitness on a night the Blues also revealed Morgan Feeney is sidelined with injury.

Ryan Edmondson, right, goes off injured

Carlisle made four changes with Omari Patrick, Corey Whelan and full debutants Sonny Hilton and Jayden Harris all winning a starting place.

United last progressed from the first round three seasons ago following victory over Barnsley - and tasted League Cup victory over the Shrews back in 2008 following a 1-0 victory over a Town side managed by Paul Simpson.

Harris was denied a fifth minute penalty after he tumbled in the box while under pressure while, at the other end, Tomas Holy was well-placed to save a free-kick from Tom Flanagan.

Edmondson fired United ahead with a cool finish on 13 minutes after Hilton picked him out.

Holy saved shots from Leahy and Rekeil Pkye in quick succession as the Shrews looked for a quick response.

The Czech shot-stopper continued to frustrate the hosts with another good low save to keep out Matthew Pennington on 21 minutes.

Luke Leahy's free-kick brings the hosts level

Patrick came close to doubling United’s lead seven minutes later after good work by Callum Guy won the ball in midfield.

Goalscorer Edmondson was then forced to go off with a knock with Dennis replacing him on 36 minutes.

Holy got down well at the feet of Udoh minutes later as the Shrews forward threatened to get on the end of a Leahy through-ball.

Jon Mellish did well to block a powerful shot by Pennington as the Blues continued to stand firm before half-time.

But they were dealt a blow in stoppage time when Leahy dragged Shrewsbury level with a fine free-kick, United adamant a home challenge on Fin Back should have been penalised in the build-up.

United go behind to Dan Udoh's goal

Whelan headed wide from a corner with United’s first chance of the second half on 49 minutes.

Pennington saw a header saved on 56 minutes as Shrewsbury won a series of corners.

Tom Bayliss blazed over from distance, before Blues sub Jack Stretton had a shot deflected behind for a corner.

Whelan glanced a header wide a minute later as United started to come back into it - but Carlisle found themselves behind when Udoh spun well and finished on 75 minutes.

Dennis levelled with nine minutes to go after getting on the end of Owen Moxon’s cross.

Kristian Dennis makes it 2-2

But it was not enough to guarantee a penalty shoot-out after Dunkley beat his marker from a Pennington free-kick to send Carlisle tumbling out.

United will now be sweating on the injuries to Edmondson and Feeney, with Simpson saying the former suffered a bang on his hip, while the latter is seeing a specialist to determind the extent of a heel problem.

Shrewsbury: Marosi, Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan, Bloxham (Da Costa 45), Moore (Nurse 45), Leahy, Pyke (Caton 84), Shipley, Udoh (Bowman 84), Bayliss. Not used: Burgoyne, Craig, Barlow, Bevan.

Goals: Leahy 45, Udoh 75, Dunkley 86.

United: Holy, Back (Gibson 76), Barclay, Harris (Moxon 59), Mellish, Armer, Whelan, Guy, Hilton (Devitt 76) Patrick (Stretton 59), Edmondson (Dennis 36). Not used: Ellis, Kelly, Carr.

Goals: Edmondson 13, Dennis 82.

Ref: Christopher Pollard.

Crowd: 2,269 (216).

*Main reporting: Lancaster and Crowther Sports Agency