A CONTROVERSIAL penalty and a last minute strike combined to send Lancaster City to defeat in a feisty encounter with Carlisle United at Giant Axe on Tuesday City had matched their illustrious visitors for long periods of the match - and at times showed greater appetite for the battle.

But it all turned on a spot kick furore after 72 minutes when an assistant referee flagged for a foul' by Martin Clark.

Carlisle gleefully accepted the gift but City's protests were so long and vehement that Gary Bauress was forcibly substituted because of the way he vented his anger.

And after a three minute delay, Kevin Henderson stepped up to fire home the penalty which made the score 2-2 and put United back into the game.

It was the same player who pounced in stoppage time to slot home a shot from close range after a raid down the right to give the Cumbrians, relegated from the Football League last season, a 3-2 victory.

It was tough on the Dolly Blues after all the effort that went into the game but Carlisle probably just deserved the verdict for their more incisive play in possession - and the way they handled the foibles of the officials.

United had, in fact, started like the proverbial express train, with Carlos Rocca always a danger with pacy raids down either flank.

It was Chris McGill who set up Carl Horley for the opener on eight minutes, though, as Carlisle looked in the mood to bag a hatful.

But, to their credit, City stuck at their task with Scott and Martin Clark working hard at the back while Bauress, Paul Sparrow and Steve Jones gained a foothold in midfield.

A run from Tony Sullivan down the right set up Peter Thomson for the leveller on 18 minutes and, as City took control, it was Sullivan himself who bagged a deserved second on 38.

City held sway either side of half time but it was Carlisle who edged it.