SECOND-HALF strikes from Jordan Gibson and Joe Garner inspired the Blues to a comeback victory against Burton Albion.

A matter of days after the traveling Cumbrians had their hearts broken by Portsmouth in added time at Fratton Park, the Blues were back in action as they welcomed Dino Maamria's in-form Brewers to Brunton Park. 

In an attempt to avenge his side's defeat on the South Coast Carlisle boss Paul Simpson made one change to his Blues eleven with forward Danny Butterworth being rewarded for his performance on the South Coast at the expense of Alfie McCalmont.

It was the Blues that had the chance of the game when Owen Moxon played a corner low to the edge of the box for Butterworth to strike but the forward's effort was wild and over the bar.

Burton would have their first attempt on goal in the 13th minute when Carayol forced a good save from Tomas Holy.

The attacking nature of the clash continued four minutes later when Sean Maguire diving header to meet a teasing cross from Fin Back went agonisingly into the side netting.

In the 22nd minute, it was almost the Burton goalie who handed the Blues the lead, with Crocombe fumbling a long-range effort from Moxon but just about recovering and held onto the ball, this followed some excellent work from Butterworth to drive Carlisle forward. 

However, following this period of sustained Carlisle pressure, the visitors broke the deadlock, with Mark Helm firing home a low shot from distance against the run of play on the 29th minute. 

Moments later, the Blues thought they had an equaliser when Butterworth powered to the by-line and squared for Garner who cannoned a shot into a Burton body on the line. Agonisingly close for the Blues.

After this, the Blues retained the majority of the ball and fashioned a few half-chances but looked a tad deflated after the Brewer's opener,  with a 30-yard effort from Maguire which stung the palms of Crocombe.

Moments after the restart Carlisle looked to pick up where they left off with Armer and Moxon fashioning half chances before, in the 53rd minute, Jordan Gibson would fire the Blues back into the goal from close range, converting a misplaced touch from Butterworth.

After this goal, the Blues were camped 30 yards from the Brewer's goal and created a number of chances through goal-scorer Gibson and Maguire.

On the 67th minute, the Blues thought they had a second when Fin Back bundled the ball home at the back post but Armer's cross to set up the scoring chance had been deflected just behind, prompting the referee to halt the celebrations and give a corner.

Ten minutes later, substitute Ablade breezed to the by-line with his lightning pace forcing his maker to blast clear but this clearance cannons off Moxon and almost caught out Crocombe who luckily collected the ball.

With a matter of minutes left on the clock, the Blues got their moment. A cross was floated to the back post for Ablade who headed back across to an arriving Garner who powered home to hand Carlisle victory at the death. 

Carlisle United - Tomas Holy, Fin Back (Jack Robinson - 88'), Owen Moxon, Sam Lavelle, Jordan Gibson, Callum Guy, Dan Butterworth (Terry Ablade - 73'), Joe Garner, Jon Mellish, Sean Maguire

Subs - Jokull Andresson, Ryan Edmondson, Corey Whelan, Ben Barclay, Luke Plange

Burton Albion - Max Crocombe, Steve Seddon (Jake Caprice - 82'), Deji Oshilaja (Cole Stockton -90'), Ryan Sweeney, Joe Powell, Jasper Moon, Beryly Luballa, Mark Helm (Rekeem Harper - 45'), Mustapha Carayol (Josh Gordon - 62'), Kwadwo Baah (Josh Walker - 45'), Tom Hamer

Subs - Jamal Blackman, Josh Gordon, Jake Caprice, Ciaran Gilligan