Carlisle United had Jack Bridge sent off as they saw their lead overturned at Bradford, who also ended with 10 men.

Midfielder Bridge was dismissed in the first period for a second yellow card.

That came as Gary Bowyer's Bradford team fought back from Olufela Olomola's early Carlisle opener.

The hosts levelled through Harry Pritchard and then, after 24-year-old Bridge's dismissal, Kelvin Mellor headed them in front.

The Bantams had a goal disallowed after the break, while their former United youth defender Ben Richards-Everton was shown a straight red card after a poor challenge on Jack Iredale.

Carlisle, though, could not find a way back into the game and substitute Zeli Ismail smashed a last-gasp third to wrap things up for the hosts.

Tomorrow, Steven Pressley's side host Wolves’ Under-21s team in a Leasing.com Trophy tie, before Saturday's League Two home clash against fellow strugglers Oldham.

Here's what our Blues views thought of Saturday's performance from Carlisle.

Ste Anderson

A disappointing result to cap off a disappointing week, and you get the feeling it could be a long season.

Bradford are a good side, but you have to say we made it pretty easy for them. It’s a bit daft of Bridge to get booked twice so quickly but I do feel for him because that second yellow was very harsh.

But, even before that, we were the inferior side.

The most disappointing aspect for me was the fact, when the numbers got levelled up, we did absolutely nothing to try and get back level in the game. Our weakness on set-pieces, once again, cost us dearly.

Graham Watt

Well, that was disappointing.

It was a big ask to win after a couple of acceptable results, even though we have not been entertaining. We really took the game to Bradford and, if we had kept our discipline, we could maybe have got some points.

But we had to play with 10 men for so long. At least we had a go towards the end and went at them.

I don’t think the Carlisle fans would be so annoyed if the team played with heart and fight, but we were simply not good enough.

The away support was fantastic, though. It’s a huge game next Saturday against a team one point behind us. If we show some fight again, we will win.

Craig Mattinson

Ten games into the season and my assessment is "not good enough".

There were flashes of decent football but, in what looks a very average league, we are under-performing big style. We started pretty well, controlling the game for the first 30 minutes, then a 10-minute disaster period.

Two sloppy goals yet again and Bridge getting himself needlessly sent off.

We have the second-worst defence in the league and one that shows no leadership, organisation or understanding of the basic principles of defending.

At the moment, I would be happy just staying in League Two.

David MacLachlan

If only I could share Pressley’s optimism that this team will learn from their mistakes.

Yes, the first half-hour was good but our defensive weaknesses were, once again, exposed. How many more times do we have to witness an opposition centre-forward, heading in, unopposed from a set-play?

These things need sorting out and quickly, along with the home form that urgently needs to be addressed.

Oldham Athletic are up next (I’ve no interest in games against Premier League youth teams) who have a charmless new manager in Dino Maamria. Expect a feisty encounter.

Bruce Vander

What a game. Great atmosphere, great travelling support and the last glorious sunshine of summer.

And yet, what looked so promising in the first 20 minutes, was turned on its head after the half-hour by an overzealous refereeing decision and another mistake in the centre of defence, something that’s plagued United this season.

Pressley has to get to grips with our soft defensive centre, particularly with crosses into our box!

United’s use of the wings, and Harry McKirdy and Nathan Thomas running at defenders should give us all hope, but we must stop making mistakes.

Michelle Hall

Once again, our fans turned out in their numbers.

Bradford looked like a team pushing to bounce back into League One, with their players throwing their weight around all afternoon. The referee spoiled the game, missing several questionable challenges from the Bradford players and dishing out an unnecessary red cad to Bridge which forced a change from the bench.

I still don’t think Carlisle are a bad side. They’ve come up against some really good sides in the last few weeks which have shown our squad weaknesses.

All the fans can do is keep everything crossed.