Gary Ablett named the eleven that started against Swindon as County looked to get the crucial victory that could kick-start their season.

The County chief made one change on the bench, though, with fit-again Adam Griffin coming in for Sam Barnes.

The Cumbrians included two former Hatters loanees, Evan Horwood and Kevan Hurst.

The first half was a game of very few chances as both sides cancelled each other out at Brunton Park.

It was ten minutes before we saw a shot of note when Ian Harte saw a free kick deflected wide.

Adam Clayton was dominating the midfield area and County were struggling to win possession and feed their frontmen.

But they sprung into life midway through the half. Richie Partridge rolled the ball into Jemal Johnson's feet; the American turned and hit a low shot into the side net.

Within a minute the Hatters should have taken the lead. Danny Pilkington crossed from the left to Jabo Ibehre who flicked the ball goalwards; Adam Collin made a brilliant save and Harte completed the clearance.

Clayton then shot well over for Carlisle from distance with Johnson doing likewise for County soon after.

The half finished with a Michsel Rose free kick that was comfortably saved by Collin.

Carlisle introduced Scott Dobie during the interval and the Cumbrians ripped into County at the start of the second half.

Hurst came within an inch of scoring against the Hatters for the second time this season when his volley bounced to safety off the foot of the post.

Swailes then made a brilliant challenge to deny Anyinsah. Then Tom Taiwo headed wide as the Cumbrians turned the screw,

The ever-dangerous Anyinsah came close again on 52 minutes with a header that dropped on top of the net.

County somehow weathered the storm and came close to scoring just after the hour. James Vincent, who had an excellent game, saw a shot blocked. Then Ibehre clipped the top of the bar from the edge of the box.

The Hatters began to regain the upper hand and had another chance on 67; Rose's free kick was too close to Collin who made a comfortable save.

A minute later Johnson raced clear of the home defence but couldn't beat Collin with a low shot.

The game erupted five minutes later when Dobie was dismissed. Rose reacted when Dobie claimed a penalty after going down in the box, the striker swung an arm at him and the referee brandished a red card.

The Hatters tried to make their numerical advantage count and could easily have taken the lead with ten minutes remaining. Pilkington played in a brilliant low cross from the left but Partridge couldn't hit the target at the far post.

A minute later, though, it was back to ten-a-side when Ibehre picked up a second yellow for a foul on Harte.

Both team pressed for a winner. Matty Robson hit the net for Carlisle then Johnson sliced a great chance wide after great approach work from partridge and Vincent.

County then needed Fon Williams to make sure they ended their 12-game losing streak. With four minutes of added time played the 'keeper through himself to his right to turn Clayton's 25-yard drive over the bar; a magnificent save.