Carlisle 2-2 Yeovil: Away team strike late for replay

Image: Danny Grainger scores the opening goal

Shaun Jeffers grabbed an injury time equaliser to earn Yeovil a replay in their FA Cup third-round tie against Carlisle at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road.

Twice Carlisle led, through a Danny Grainger free-kick and a Mark Ellis header, but a Francois Zoko goal and Jeffers' late effort made it 2-2.

Carlisle's home ground at Brunton Park remains out of action after damage caused by Storm Desmond and this was their third 'home' game to take place on the road.

Both teams struggled to cope with a tricky wind in the opening period although Grainger fashioned an early chance for Carlisle's leading scorer Jabo Ibehre who dragged his shot just wide from 15 yards.

It was Grainger who fired Carlisle in front in the 25th minute with a powerful free-kick after Ben Tozer had handled just outside the area. Grainger's left-foot effort from 20 yards bent around the defensive wall and flew into the top right-hand corner.

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Yeovil might have levelled a couple of minutes later when Dan Hanford saved Tahvon Campbell's close range shot and Liam Walsh's follow-up effort went wide.

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Yeovil's goal had an incredible double escape in the 56th minute when Grainger crashed a 25-yard shot against the underside of the crossbar and Charlie Wyke could only hold his head in his hands as he swooped on the rebound only to hit the post from inside the six-yard box.

Former Carlisle striker Zoko put Yeovil level in the 71st minute, getting on the end of a lofted ball into the area from Darren Ward to head over Hanford into the corner of the net.

Carlisle re-established their lead five minutes later when central defender Ellis dived to meet Alex Gilliead's free-kick from the left and head home from six yards.

Carlisle seemed to have the tie won until Jeffers wriggled free in the box to slot a low shot just inside Hanford's right-hand post.

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