The fact that the manager and the supporters were disappointed not to win at the Aggborough Stadium on Saturday is testimony to how far the Cumbrians have progressed in that time.

But for an uncharacteristic blunder, by their in form keeper Peter Keen, their return from results on their travels would have been even more impressive.

Nevertheless Manager Roddy Collins was still happy with the result and said: “At the end of the game you feel it is two points dropped but at the start I would have settled for a clean sheet after conceding three on Tuesday night. But it turned out to be a really open game and I always felt we would get something out of it. We get 2-1 up and you think this is going to be a good day, which is a bonus. I wonder if they can score two, then we have a player sent off and you’re praying they won’t score two! If they get one you’re still left with the point you brought with you. But overall I was happy for a lot of the game but disappointed as to how we conceded their goals but that’s life and is going to happen.

“We have a long way to go but this was a point gained when you look a the bottom of the table. We need to finish one above the bottom team this season and that’s my main concern. But next season it will be a different ball game. If we don’t come here, and places like it, and win with style I will be disappointed.”

Carlisle dominated early on with Steve Soley getting on the end of Stuart Green’s free kick only for Stuart Brock to get down well to make the save.

Mark Birch then got on the end of a Soley through ball forcing Brock into another good save.

But for all their early dominance, hesitancy in the Cumbrian’s defence cost them a goal on 9 minutes.

Harriers’ captain Ian Clarkson swung a long cross in to the far post and as Birch and Keen hesitated, Adie Smith stole in to head home.

Undeterred, Carlisle continued to play good passing football and their deserved equaliser came on 25 minutes. Michael Jack evaded Clarkson’s tackle on the left and spotting Halliday’s run to the near post delivered a perfect ball, which Halliday duly swept home.

Carlisle almost took the lead in first half injury time when Brock fumbled Soley’s shot but recovered in time to save the ball on the line.

Carlisle edged in front twelve minutes into the second half when Stuart Green laid the ball into the path of Halliday for the striker to sweep home his second.

Harriers should have equalised on 65 minutes when a perfectly timed run put Colin Larkin clear, only to pull his shot wide with only Keen to beat.

With twelve minutes left Carlisle were down to ten men as Stuart Whitehead was harshly sent off for a second yellow card.

They appeared to be managing quite comfortably until a bizarre goal gifted the Harriers a share of the points. Richie Appleby swung in a harmless cross from the right only for Keen to misjudge the flight of the ball, which squeezed in at the angle of post and bar.

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time

/Time