Carlisle United salvaged a point after being 3-1 down early in the second half against bottom side Rochdale.
Manager Paul Simpson had expected a tough test against a Rochdale side – he once managed 20 years ago – but now under the charge of this week’s latest appointment Jim Bentley.
United had to battle hard to secure a point in a 3-3 draw against a side who are still looking for their first win of the season.
Former Barrow favourite Scott Quigley, who was a transfer deadline loan signing for Rochdale from Stockport, was the thorn in Carlisle’s side.
He opened the scoring on 22 minutes when he was on hand close-in to steer home after a shot had been deflected into his path.
Carlisle were back on terms after 36 minutes when the ball dropped nicely for Jon Mellish from an Owen Moxon corner and he thumped it home.
Six minutes after the restart Devante Rodney profited from a surging run by Quigley as he hit one first time past Tomas Holy.
When Carlisle have needed a goal this season they’ve usually got it from Kristian Dennis and he didn’t disappoint hauling them back into the game with a tidy finish, turning in a cross from Jordan Gibson.
After Omari Patrick had wasted an opportunity to equalise Carlisle did draw level on 78 minutes when recent signing Pasul Huntington headed in a Moxon corner at the near post.
That draw keeps Carlisle bang in mid-table but with a game in hand of all but one of the 11 teams ahead of them.
