HARTLEPOOL UNITED contrived to lose to Carlisle at Victoria Park in a game of constant entertainment.

In a game played at a frantic pace from start to finish, the Cumbrians twice came from behind to sink Pools with an 86th minute winner.

Pools took the lead on six minutes, centre-half Scott Harrison cracking in a volley on the turn

The visitors had first-half chances, but the Pools goal led a charmed life. Bastien Hery missed a free header and then Michael Duckworth cleared off the line.

Jabo Ibhere touched a low cross onto the roof of the net when he should have scored – but he was to make his mark in the second half.

Rakish Bingham cracked a drive against the frame of the goal after some trickery on the edge of the area opened up space to shoot.

Jason Kennedy, at the other end, missed from close range after Adam Bartlett saved from Ibehre.

But the visitors levelled on 57 minutes, Ibehre touching home a header from close range after Pools were opened up on the left side.

It was 2-1 to Pools on 70 minutes. Kennedy grappled with Scott Fenwick in the area once too often and referee Andy Haines, who had an indifferent day, awarded a penalty.

Billy Paynter, the ex-Carlisle front man, netted calmly from the spot.

Pools should have seen the game out, but they badly missed the influence in midfield of Carl Magnay, who went off at half-time with an injury after taking a knock.

They were ripped open again down the left side as Tom Miller cut inside onto his left foot and fired a shot across Bartlett into the net.

Ibehre was denied by two blocks by Michael Duckworth and Andrew Boyce, but he wasn’t to be denied.

Fenwick was easily bundled off the ball by Grainger and he picked out Ibehre to tap in his ninth goal of the season.