Carlisle 2 - 1 Mansfield Town: Carlisle fightback sinks Stags

Posted Sunday, February 01, 2015 by PA

A stirring second-half fightback with goals from Charlie Wyke and Kyle Dempsey enabled Carlisle to grab three points with a 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Mansfield.

Vadaine Oliver had given Stags the lead on the stroke of half-time before Carlisle's efforts got their reward to move above their opponents in the League One table.

Danny Grainger went close to giving the home side the lead with a free-kick from wide on the right which had Stags goalkeeper Adam Smith scrambling across his line and grateful to see the ball bounce a fraction wide of the far post.

Despite a spell of Carlisle pressure it was Mansfield who snatched the advantage in the last minute of the first half when Oliver rose highest to head Reggie Lambe's cross in off the post.

Carlisle were unfortunate not to draw level when first Smith pulled off a fine diving save from Dempsey's shot, then the keeper got away with a challenge which poleaxed Wyke deep inside the penalty area as the striker was going past him.

However Carlisle deservedly equalised in the 72nd minute when Troy Archibald-Henville headed on Grainger's free kick and home debutant Wyke was on hand to slide the ball past Smith from close range.

Then a lightning 79th-minute break left Mansfield short at the back and after subs Derek Asamoah and David Amoo had combined Wyke laid the ball off to Dempsey who coolly slotted home from 12 yards.

There was still time for Mark Gillespie in the home goal to produce a fine save which kept out a Michael Raynes header in the dying minutes.