This was a much better performance from the United Reserves but it is one that brings with it some amount of worry as Andy Hardman and Dave Beharall had to leave the pitch in the first half following strong tackles that left both hobbling.

It would be the Shakers who would open the scoring on the night when Simon Grand was pulled up for climbing all over Allan Smart 35 yards from goal.  Buchanan dropped it in to a nice area and Smart was on hand to glance a header back across the face of goal.  The Blues couldn't clear it and Stevens was able to drive the ball in to the net with Westwood well beaten.

Andy Hardman had to admit defeat in the 9th minute when he failed to shake off his injury and he was replaced by Rob Bainbridge.

It was to prove to be a telling substitution as Carlisle attacked in the 12th minute with a great run from Murphy.  He found Bainbridge in space and he bided his time, drew the keeper, and picked his spot beautifully to level the scores.

United were passing well but Bury were still a danger and Youngs could easily have reclaimed the lead on 20 minutes when he raced through and rounded Westwood.  Only miscontrol, that led him to a very tight angle, robbed him of a clear scoring chance and he could only find the side netting.

It's been a really unlucky start to the season for Dave Beharall and he was left in a heap after a crunching tackle that should really have brought a yellow card at least.  Holding his leg in pain the Carlisle bench wasted no time and brought Graham on in his place.

Glenn Murray beat two in the 27th minute as he went on an enterprising run but his low drive curled towards the upright at just the wrong moment.  It ricocheted back in to play but Bainbridge couldn't get on the end of it as the ball was cleared to safety.

Peter Murphy and Simon Hackney created two fantastic chances in the 30th minute when they combined down the left.  Hackney found a superb cross on both occasions and it was Bainbridge, again in the right place at the right time, who guided his headers over the bar.

Allan Smart must have thought he was scoring another Brunton Park goal in the 38th minute when he chased down a Westwood kick.  He blocked it and had the whole of the nets to aim at, but he lost his balance and succeeded only in giving the corner flag a real fright.

Glenn Murray had a header caught by Dootson just before half time and the teams went in all square after a well contested 45 minutes of play.

Half Time:  United 1 - 1 Bury

A cagey start was brought to life in the 52nd minute when the impressive Simon Hackney set off on one of those runs of his.  He worked a good position and put the delivery in to the perfect area for the swiftly arriving Chris Lumsdon to smash a bullet header in to the roof of the net.

Glenn Murray followed the goal with a 30 yarder that Dootson had to parry and Carlisle began to dominate possession, passing comfortably around the park.

A stinging Pete Ferris cross on 62 minutes swerved just inches away from the toe of the lively Bainbridge as United went for the jugular but Hackney and Barrow found themselves in the book shortly after as they clashed out wide.

It was a less incident packed second half with Bainbridge looking the most likely to score another, and he was close in the 81st minute when he spun on the penalty shot and rifled a shot goalwards.  An outstretched leg was enough to deflect it wide for a corner.  Hackney delivered again but Murray had too much to do, heading wide as he tried to reach the ball.

The final action of the match saw Lumsdon release the spritely Hackney once more and he whipped in a low drive that McClen challenged for at the near post.  The Shakers defence did enough to scramble it clear.

That was a good way to get off the mark for Carlisle this season and we'll bring reaction from Billy Barr tomorrow. 

Teams

United:  Westwood, Beharall (Graham 22), Murphy, Kirkup, Grand, McClen, Ferris (Gardiner 80), Lumsdon, G Murray, Hardman (Bainbridge 9), Hackney.  Subs - Bradley, Bell.

Bury:  Dootson, Barrow, Parrish, Sedgemore, Hitchin, Woodthorpe, Stevens (Bentley 60), Buchanan, Adams, Smart, Youngs (Burke 64).  Subs - Theophanous, Grundy,  Wedge.

Goals:  Stevens (8), Bainbridge (12), Lumsdon (52)

Bookings:  Hackney (70), Barrow (70)