Terell Thomas’ late header earned United a draw against Europa Conference League outfit St Mirren.
Harrison Neal opened the scoring in fine fashion, drilling an effort into the bottom corner following a one-two with Charlie Wyke.
Toyosi Olusanya levelled proceedings at the start of the second-half, before James Scott nodded home to give them the lead from close range.
Soon after, Terell Thomas responded for United, powering home a header in front of the travelling support to restore parity.
Our fourth pre-season encounter started slow with both sides getting a feel for the ball in the opening exchanges.
The hosts had their first chance of the contest on 17 minutes. After delivering a cross from the right, the ball fell to the feet of an attacker, whose goalbound effort was blocked well by Archie Davies .
Moments later, St Mirren’s Olusanya had a penalty claim waved away by the referee to the relief of the travelling United faithful behind Harry Lewis’ net.
On 25 minutes, Ethan Robson sent in a venomous cross from a free-kick on the left, which found Charlie Wyke, but the striker’s nodded attempt went wide of Balcombe’s goal.
Aaron Hayden came to the Blues’ rescue as we approached the half-hour mark as he made a tremendous last ditch challenge to avert the impending danger.
On 30 minutes, United took the lead through Harrison Neal. The midfielder drove a powerful effort into the far corner beyond the reach of Balcombe in the hosts’ goal.
Minutes before the break, Oisin Smyth came close to levelling the contest, but Carlisle managed to see the half through and enter the interval with the lead.
HALF-TIME: St Mirren 0-1 United
Carlisle started the second 45 on the front foot with Luke Armstrong looking a serious threat going forward as he looked to create two separate chances in the opening minutes of the half.
Against the run of play it was St Mirren who scored the next goal. Following a cross from the left, Olusanya met the ball with a header, which was guided into the far corner to level the game on 50 minutes.
The Blues made a plethora of changes on the hour mark as Paul Simpson continued to manage his players’ minutes in the build-up to the new campaign.
After entering the action, young forward Freddie O’Donoghue looked to restore our lead on two occasions, the second seeing his header clip the crossbar in front of the away end on 76 minutes.
With ten minutes left to play, the hosts took the lead for the first time courtesy of a header from substitute James Scott.
On 85 minutes, United responded through Terell Thomas. The centre-back leapt highest from a Dan Butterworth corner to earn Carlisle a draw on the road.
FULL-TIME: St Mirren 2-2 United
Teams:
St Mirren - Balcombe, R. Taylor (60’ Iacovitti (68’ Scott)), O’Hara © (46’ Idowu), Smyth (84’ F. Taylor), Mandron (68’ Adeniran), Gogic, Boyd-Munce (68’ Rooney), Olusanya (65’ Ayunga), Brown (75’ Sutherland), Fraser, Bwomono
Unused subs - Urminsky, Kenny, Jamieson
Carlisle United - Lewis, Davies (60’ Ellis), Thomas (60’ Barclay), Lavelle, Hayden, Robson (75’ Allan), Wyke (60’ O’Donoghue), Charters (60’ Fitzpatrick), Vela © (60’ Butterworth), Neal (60’ McGeouch), Armstrong (75’ Kelly)
Unused subs - Breeze, Smith
Attendance:
2,011
