Improved performances over the last month are now being complimented by the right results. This win against a Kidderminster side lying fourth in the table, with only one home defeat this season was as well deserved as it was a major shock.

Some of the football, particularly in the first half, was far above Third Division standard and better finishing would have put this game out of Kidderminster’s reach by half-time.

But the Cumbrians allowed ten man Harriers back into the game after the break and the apparent naivety of his young side was not lost on Collins who said after the game: “I was a little concerned at half time. In the first half we looked like a team that was really on form. We were a goal up, they were a player down and had nothing to lose and were on a hiding to nothing. I was hoping the lads wouldn’t back off and wouldn’t get tentative but they did. I told them at half-time how it was going to go and now they know but they’re educated now and please God it won’t happen again. Kidderminster were always going to come on top of us and they compensated for their one man short by knocking long balls into the box. We tried to get the ball and pass it round and keep the extra man spare and we were always likely to catch them on the break. It was only a matter of time before we made it 2-1.

“We then gave away a silly free kick on the edge of the box which resulted in a penalty. We finish every training session with a penalty shoot-out which is just for a bit of fun for the lads but we saw an added benefit today with Matty Glennon’s save.”

Ryan Baldacchino almost gave Carlisle a third minute lead but Stuart Brock brilliantly tipped the shot over the bar.

Almost constant Carlisle possession resulted in the opening goal on fourteen minutes. Leon Osman pulled away on the right side of the box before being pulled down by Lee Ayres and Craig Farrell sent Brock the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The busy Brock then saved well from Osman and tipped a Brian Shelley thirty yard shot over the bar but was a spectator as Sutton met Brendan McGill’s corner to head inches wide.

The traffic was virtually one way as Des Byrne had a free kick saved and Farrel shot over after good work from Shelley.

But Drewe Broughton should have equalised with 40 minutes gone but scuffed his shot straight at Glennon after a neat flick on from John Melligan.

On the stroke of half-time Scott Stamps was sent off for a second yellow card following a foul on Osman.

After the break Sutton dragged a shot wide from a Baldacchino through ball and Osman’s shot was parried away by Brock with Farrell shooting wide as Baldacchino played the loose ball back into the box.

Mark Summerbell made a timely headed clearance from under his own bar as an Ayres header almost crept in but Kidderminster drew level on 66 minutes when Sean Flynn’s thirty yard pile-driver flew into the top corner giving Glennon no chance.

As Kidderminster threw caution to the wind Glennon saved a Shilton header from a Flynn corner and Melligan’s cross was headed narrowly wide by Broughton.

Glennon then had to dive full length to save an Ian Foster shot but Carlisle’s swift counter attacks were always threatening and they regained the lead on 83 minutes.

Richie Foran skipped past two tackles on the right, Osman sweeping the resultant cross goalwards for substitute Will McDonagh to volley into the roof of the net.

Deep into injury time a double sending off saw McDonagh red carded for a two footed challenge on Flynn with the Kidderminster captain receiving a second yellow card for retaliation.

From the resulting free kick Peter Murphy conceded a penalty but Glennon flung himself to his left to keep out Foster’s penalty kick.