The new year began in disappointing fashion for Carlisle United who fell to a 3-1 defeat at Mansfield.

Steve Evans’ men led 2-0 at half-time. Kane Hemmings scored the first goal of 2018 at the One Call Stadium early on, before Rhys Bennett doubled the Stags’ advantage on the half-hour mark.

Carlisle boss Keith Curle made a double change at half-time and they found a way back into the contest when Jamie Devitt scored a penalty after Richie Bennett had been fouled.

Bennett and Sam Cosgrove both missed great chances to level the scores, but failed to take them and Hemmings scored his second goal of the game to seal the win.

The Stags started well but it was the Cumbrians with the first real chance. Tom Miller steering wide a Danny Grainger left-wing cross.

But Mansfield hit back and opened the scoring on nine minutes. Grainger tried to pass back to Jack Bonham but, instead, found home striker Kane Hemmings who broke the deadlock on nine minutes.

With 20 minutes on the clock, scorer Hemmings bursts down the left and tried to find Lee Angol, although Brentford loanee Bonham did just enough to deny him.

Mansfield then doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. A mistake from Tom Miller presented the Stags with a crossing opportunity. Jack Bonham saved Angol's header but Rhys Bennett was on hand to stroke home his second goal of the season.

CJ Hamilton could have put the result beyond doubt on 65 minutes but was denied by Bonham.

Moments later, at the other end, ref Darren Drydale adjudged Mansfield keeper Conrad Logan of fouling one of two of United's half-time subs, Richie Bennett. Jamie Devitt found the bottom corner with the spot-kick.

United then had two golden opportunities to level. Firstly, Cosgrove glanced a Hope left-wing cross against Logan’s left-hand post, before Bennett hit the bar with the rebound from close-range.

Not for the first time in the game, Mansfield cashed in on a Carlisle miss as Hemmings made it 3-1.

Sam Cosgrove came into the Carlisle United side for their opening game of 2018 at Mansfield.

Cosgrove was joined up front by Shaun Miller as Richie Bennett and Hallam Hope dropped to the bench.

In the final of the three changes to Keith Curle's side from Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Coventry, Tom Miller replaced James Brown whose current half-season loan from Millwall expires after this game.

But midfielders Kelvin Etuhu and Luke Joyce were both not involved in the squad.

United came into the contest in 13th in the League Two table, while Evans' Stags were ninth, six points better off.

Carlisle United: Bonham, T.Miller, Grainger (c) (Hope 45), Liddle, Parkes, Jones, Devitt, Cosgrove, Lambe (O'Sullivan 80), S.Miller (Bennett 45), Hill.

Carlisle unused subs: Bacon, Nabi, Elllis, Brown.

Ref: Darren Dryslade