Hogan Ephraim was sent-off as Posh suffered a 2-1 defeat at Carlisle United.

Peterborough United suffered a second successive league defeat as Carlisle United came from behind to beat Darren Ferguson's men, who finished with 10-men as Hogan Ephraim saw red 10 minutes into the second half.

Bobby Olejnik was forced into the first save of the afternoon on 12 minutes as he dived low to prevent Manchester United loanee Tom Lawrence, who burst into the box and weaved his way past two challenges before unleashing a low left-foot shot.

The Posh shot-stopper denied the same player moments later after a mistake in possession by Little as the Cumbrians created the early openings. On 18 minutes, a deep free-kick from Tomlin was headed across goal by Brisley, Assombalonga tried to get a touch, but it drifted towards the far corner until Amos clawed it away.

On 29 minutes, a corner kick from Tomlin was headed wide of the target by Brisley who was posing a threat from set-pieces. Bauben was cautioned for a late tackle on Payne on 40 minutes as the challenges began to fly in.

Lawrence fired over from 35-yards on the stroke of half-time for the Cumbrians. On 52 minutes, Posh were reduced to 10-men as loanee Hogan Ephraim was shown a straight red card for a tackle in the centre circle. It was certainly a late one as he stretched, but hard to see from the press box how bad it was.

Swanson fired wide from long-range moments later as boss Darren Ferguson tried to reshape his starting line-up in terms of formation. Olejnik grabbed Noble's shot at the second attempt on 59 minutes as Carlisle pressed for the breakthrough.

The deadlock was broken on the hour mark and it was a sublime free-kick from Lee TOMLIN, curling a right-footed effort over the wall and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Posh made a double substitution on 68 minutes with Jermaine Anderson and Grant McCann introduced into the action.

On 73 minutes, the Cumbrians drew themselves level against the 10-men as a low cross was swept home from six-yards by AMOO who couldn't miss.

The same player, AMOO made it 2-1 moments later as he tapped home unmarked at the far post after a strong run and low cross from the substitute Robson.

Posh were given a chance to level from the spot on 86 minutes as Anderson was tugged back in the box by Meppen-Walter and the referee pointed to the spot. The normally reliable McCann stepped up from the spot, but saw his powerful left-footed penalty kick crack back off the post.

To compound the Posh misery, deep into stoppage time, Tomlin was booked, his fifth booking of the season, meaning he will now miss the New Years Day clash with Brentford at London Road.

Final Score: Carlisle United 2-1 Posh

Carlisle: Amos, Potts, O'Hanlon, Ehmer, Meppen-Walter (sub Morris 89min), Buaben (sub Robson 64min), Noble, Berrett, Amoo, Lawrence, Guy. Unused subs: Fleming, Roddan, Symington, Chimbonda

Posh: Olejnik, Little, Ntlhe, Brisley, Bostwick, Payne (sub Jeffers 81min) Ephraim, Newell (sub Anderson 68min), Swanson (sub McCann 68min), Assombalonga, Tomlin. Unused subs: Day, Knight-Percival, Marshall, Vassell,

Attendance: 3,904