Craig Mackail-Smith scored three minutes into stoppage time to earn Peterborough United a deserved point at Carlisle United after a topsy-turvy League One encounter at Brunton Park.

Carlisle made a bright start to the game at a sunny Brunton Park and should have scored three in the opening two minute as Joe Lewis twice denied Danny Graham before Russell Martin cleared off the line by the post after Danny Livesey's powerful header from a corner kick.

Manager Darren Ferguson was soon out of the dugout to try and calm his charges down with the hosts very much on top in the opening exchanges. The swirling wind was certainly playing a part, sweeping across the large pitch and the Cumbrians were certainly making the most if it, if indeed it was aiding their style of play.

The home side got the goal their play deserved on 19 minutes as Danny Carlton chested the ball into the path of Danny GRAHAM who took a touch before slotting the ball past Joe Lewis.

Lewis made a fine save to deny a Cleveland Taylor effort after the winger had cut inside from the right. Boyd was then cautioned for his first foul of the afternoon although it was a late tackle on David Raven.

George Boyd registered the first Posh shot on target just before the half-hour after charging down Evan Horwood's challenge, but his curling shot was easily claimed by Ben Alnwick in the Carlisle goal.

Posh got themselves level on 33 minutes as an in-swinging corner from Martin was headed home at the near post by Charlie LEE. The goal came after a bit of pressure from the visitors, but in truth Carlisle could feel themselves unfortunate to be just on level terms.

Posh should have been in front moments later after Boyd ghosted past the full-back, his right-foot shot was saved by the legs of Alnwick with Gabriel Zakuani heading the rebound over from close-range, although he was under severe pressure.

Darren Ferguson's men were now the far better side and the Cumbrians seemed to lose confidence as soon as the equaliser hit the back of the net. Boyd fired an ambitious 35-yard shot well over the crossbar after the ball dropped loose on 39 minutes.

Shaun Batt saw a left-foot shot parried by goalkeeper Alnwick before Craig Mackail-Smith found himself in a lot of space on 43 minutes after a glorious pass from Lee held up in the wind, but the striker fired wide of the near post instead of shooting across the goalkeeper.

Craig Mackail-Smith should have put Posh ahead after a slick pass from Boyd picked him out, but the striker dragged his effort wide of the target to the dismay of boss Darren Ferguson who turned away in frustration.

The home side got themselves back in front on 48 minutes and it was an error from Lewis, who had previously been excellent with his handling, he spilled Simon Hackney's shot to the feet of GRAHAM who couldn't miss from two-yards.

It was 3-1 to the rampant hosts moments later as Carlisle carved open a static Posh defence with a one-two from Luke Joyce and Cleveland Taylor ending with the latter being denied by Lewis, the rebound fell to KAVANAGH and he took a touch before firing into the bottom corner. It was a goal on his home debut for the former Stoke City man.

Posh responded with a double change as Craig Morgan and Shane Blackett were introduced, meaning Charlie Lee would be pushed into midfield. Last season's top scorer Aaron Mclean was the next introduced as Posh tried to get a foothold in the game after a disastrous start to the second period.

Posh were awarded a penalty kick on the hour mark as the ball appeared to strike the arm of Horwood under pressure from MACKAIL-SMITH and he stepped up and fired straight down the middle for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Mackail-Smith had a glorious chance to equalise moments later, but again the goalkeeper came out on top, making a fine save. Aaron Mclean then saw a shot nearly creep inside the post, but it rolled agonisingly wide of the target.

Boyd saw a weak shot saved by the increasingly overworked Alnwick as Posh pressed forward. Boyd was then superbly denied by Alwnick after a swerving shot with Mackail-Smith's controlled rebound parried away from danger and the on-loan shot-stopper was playing the game of his life.

Kavanagh floated a shot wide of Lewis' far post on 74 minutes as Carlisle tried to catch Posh unawares from a set-piece. Posh had the ball in the back of the net on 77 minutes as Boyd slid a delightful cross into the path of Mackail-Smith who converted, but the offside flag was up and the goal was ruled out.

Lee was cautioned for a late tackle on Raven moments later as Posh continued with their attacking formation, leaving the back four to do all the defending. Substitute Medine nearly scored within 10 seconds of coming on after a delightful Kavanagh through-ball, but he rolled his shot inches past the far post.

Paul Coutts saw an excellent shot parried by Alnwick and when the ball was laid into the path of Boyd, his shot deflected into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper. Mclean fired across goal as the chances kept coming and in truth, Posh could have scored 10 goals in this game.

It was a real cup-tie atmosphere inside Brunton Park with the hosts defending for their lives and Posh piling men forward as if it was a one-off chance to play at Wembley Stadium. Jeff Smith fired wide following a swift Cumbrians counter-attack.

Posh were dealt a devastating blow in stoppage time as Shane Blackett, just back to full fitness following a dislocated shoulder, sustained the same injury as he slipped whilst making a tackle. It was a cruel blow for the former Dagenham and Redbridge man who looked to have forced himself into the first team reckoning.

Just as it looked like the game was slipping away, up popped MACKAIL-SMITH who chested a Lee pass and fired the ball past the goalkeeper who had performed heroics to keep him out earlier in the game.

Final Score: Carlisle United 3-3 Peterborough United

Referee: Mr A Taylor
Attendance: 6,074