Carlisle 1-1 Walsall

Carlisle captain Paul Thirlwell emerged as the hero and villain as his side drew with Walsall.

Thirlwell put his side ahead when he rattled home a powerful shot which went in off the underside of the bar for his third goal of the season.

But he fouled Sofiene Zaaboub to give away a spot-kick and Michael Ricketts coolly tucked away the penalty.

Walsall's Mark Bradley nearly ended a run of eight away games without a win but put a long-range volley just high.

Carlisle: Williams, Raven (Kane 55), Keogh, Murphy, Horwood (Burns 82), Taylor, Lumsdon, Thirlwell, Neal, Graham, Anyinsah (Bridges 72).
Subs Not Used: Howarth, Madine.

Goals: Thirlwell 19.

Walsall: Gilmartin, Palmer, Weston, Gerrard, Boertien, Nicholls, Hughes, Bradley, Zaaboub, Ibehre (Williams 60), Deeney (Ricketts 59).
Subs Not Used: Belshaw, Smith, Davies.

Goals: Ricketts 84 pen.

Att: 4,502.

Ref: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).