Carlisle City were denied an opening day win in the Northern League First Division by an injury time equaliser.
Visitors Sunderland RCA grabbed the late leveller to take home a point after a 1-1 draw and leave last season’s Division Two champions feeling frustrated.
City had taken the lead in dramatic fashion on 14 minutes as Steven Townsley’s goal-kick was allowed to bounce by the RCA defenders and new signing Mikey Williamson took full advantage as he hammered a great shot past the helpless Marrs.
There was an almost immediate response by the visitors, who included former Workington full-back Kieran Charlton, when Charmey’s close-range effort rebounded off the crossbar.
City also hit the post from a header by Jordan Holt while Charlton fired wide for RCA following a frantic scramble in the City six-yard box.
A Josh Simpson shot rebounded back into play from the post as City hit the woodwork for a second time just before the interval.
Although City started the second-half brightly RCA increasingly dominated possession without creating too much, and frequently falling foul of the offside flag.
Substitute Brandon Longcake had City’s best chance on 70 minutes but his shot was saved by Marrs.
As the game progressed into injury-time, City conceded the equaliser. Johnson crossed from the left and substitute Patton burst through to score from 10 yards.
There was still time for City to win the game and Marrs was forced to produce a fine save to deny Jordy Atkinson.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “It’s always disappointing when you don’t win a game after leading for 75 minutes and conceding in the 93rd minute.
“But overall I think we were happy with the performance after going up a Division. I think it showed we can cope at this level because Sunderland have some good, experienced players.
“I think what it did show was how you have to take your chances. We hit the woodwork twice and one of them came back, hit the goalkeeper on the back and ran along the line before it was cleared.
“They did have a lot of possession in the final 30 minutes but I never thought it was a case of us hanging on as we coped very well. Unfortunately we just switched off for a vital second or two and it cost us the late equaliser.
“We go again on Wednesday at Thornaby and should have Sam Atkinson back, while we hope to have Robbie Ivison’s international clearance sorted.”
