In a tremendous advert for Third Division football, play swung end-to-end keeping both sets of supporters on their toes for the full ninety minutes.

But manager Roddy Collins was left a little dejected after the game.

He said: "Under the circumstances I was disappointed not to get all three points. The linesman gives a goal kick from two yards away and the referee from 20 yards thinks he has a better view and gives a corner. These things happen but it disappoints me.

"We are now showing greater consistency. The boys worked really hard. There are no superstars, just players who can squeeze the opposition and pass the ball well and break very quickly.

"We now look a good side and have shown we can compete with the best teams in this league."

Rochdale quickly built a rhythm of good passing football, but it took 12 minutes for the first chance to come, Matt Doughty forcing Peter Keen into a comfortable full-length save.

Substitute Kevin Townson should have done better than head weakly at Keen from a David Flitcroft cross, but Carlisle took the lead on 18 minutes with their first shot of the game.

Steve Halliday traded passes with Richie Foran on the edge of the box before clinically burying a left foot shot into the bottom corner.

Stuart Green then went close for the Cumbrians, shooting narrowly over from the edge of the penalty area.

Rochdale continued to dominate the possession without looking menacing until Paul Ware skimmed the bar from a McCauley short free-kick.

Townson twice went close after the break, Keen turning both efforts for corners.

The equaliser came after 62 minutes. The referee over-ruled his assistant to give Dale a corner on the right with Gareth Griffiths getting ahead of Keen to head home.

The Cumbrians' almost regained the lead but Steve Sorely was stunned to see his goalbound volley turned away by the feet of Banks.

Platt and McCauley both went close for Dale before an Oliver header flew narrowly wide form Flitcroft's cross.

Keen became the Cumbrian's saviour with a stunning last minute save.

Doughty broke away down the left before delivering a perfect cross for McEvilly who could only look on in disbelief as Keen somehow managed to turn his downward header round the post.

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