The battle of the caretaker managers finished all square as Carlisle picked up a point from a 2-2 draw at Newport County.
But as the Blues’ Gavin Skelton continues to hold the reins at Brunton Park, Newport’s Wayne Hatswell already knows his permanent successor.
New county boss James Rowberry watched from the stands as his side had to hang on for the point after finishing with nine men.
For Skelton, it was a positive response to earn a point to end a losing run and also get on the scoresheet for the first time since mid-September.
Carlisle couldn’t have asked for a better start as they took the lead after only 38 seconds. Zach Clough and Joe Riley carved open the home defence with a clever interchange and it was Riley who found the net with a crisp finish.
Newport, who had been unbeaten for three games under Hatswell, did not get back on terms until 26 minutes. Then within three minutes, they were in front. Both goals were scored by diminutive striker Dom Telford, the first from a fine strike from the edge of the area and the second after he’d slammed his way through a static Carlisle defence before finishing with aplomb.
Carlisle deservedly got back on terms after 65 minutes. Ed Upson handled on the line to prevent a certain goal and was shown a red card. Clough stroked home the equaliser from the spot.
Play ebbed and flowed after that with Carlisle unable to make their one-man advantage pay. They had a two-man advantage from the 85th minute when Ryan Haynes was sent off for a foul and his second yellow.
