Carlisle United fought back from behind to inflict a deflating 1-2 defeat on the U’s at the Abbey Stadium, after an extremely positive opening half from Cambridge United.

Jevani Brown’s 21^st minute finish had handed United a deserved lead before Richard Bennett struck a hammer blow equaliser minutes before half time to provide a platform for the visitors to take the spoils through Ashley Nadeson in the second half.

United lined up with one change as Ade Azeez stepped back into the starting eleven, in place of Reggie Lambe who missed the fixture due to international duty with Bermuda.

The U’s created a great chance in the opening stages, with George Maris flashing a corner delivery through the box towards Ibehre on two minutes, but the former Carlisle man flicked his header wide from eight yards out.

David Amoo continued his form from the U’s previous League encounter with Stevenage, and picked out Jevani Brown at the back post following nifty footwork to reach the byline, although the latter skewed his half volley over Collin’s cross bar.

Ade Azeez was denied by a sublime point blank save from Collin on 19 minutes after Brown had set the striker up with a well-placed pass across the six yard box.

And it was to be Brown who would justifiably open the scores three minutes later for the U’s, when the midfielder ghosted onto an excellent assist by Ibehre to pick out the bottom corner with his left foot ten yards out.

United continued to look threatening as the half progressed but were dealt a sucker punch minutes before half time as Richie Bennett headed in from six yards to level with what turned out to be the Cumbrians only opportunity of note in the opening 45 minutes.

The goal certainly played an impact on the U’s after the break as they failed to meet the high intensity and positive play achieved prior to Carlisle’s equaliser.

And they were punished on 67 minutes when Ashley Nadeson pounced on a loose clearance from Louis John to slam in a second goal for the visitors.

Barry Corr was introduced shortly afterwards and stabbed a shot goalwards from a Brown corner which was cleared off the line at the near post in what progressed into the U’s only clear cut opportunity to find a way back into the fixture.

Cumbrians substitute Adam Campbell came closest of any one after that point, as the diminutive forward drilled an effort fractions away with eight minutes to play.

Cambridge United: Forde, Halliday, Taft, John, Carroll, Amoo, Deegan (Lewis, 84 mins), Maris, Brown, Azeez (Corr, 68 mins), Ibehre

Bookings:

Carlisle United: Collin, Liddle, Gerrard, Parkes, Devitt, Glendon (Sowerby, 89 mins), Gillesphey, Bennett, Yates, Etuhu, Nadesan (Campbell, 76 mins)

Bookings: Campbell

Attendance: 4,234 (248)

Man of the Match: George Maris