Ross County 2 Carlisle United 0: Carlisle United ended their 2019/20 pre-season campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Ross County.

After a goalless first period, sub Simon Power gave the Staggies the lead, before Iain Vigurs doubled the Scottish side's advantage.

Earlier, it was Nathan Thomas who had the visitors first clear-cut chance on eight minutes when he drove forward from the right. He looked to bend into the top corner, but his strike sailed over the home side's bar.

Four minutes later, Josh Mullin flashed across the face of Adam Collin's goal, but the visitors cleared the danger.

The 14th minute saw another chance for the hosts, with a quick free-kick catching the Blues cold. But Ross Draper blazed over.

Good work between Jack Bridge and Christie Elliott just before the half-hour mark allowed United the chance to create another opportunity. The former stinging the palms of home goalkeeper Jack Ruddy.

United then pressed off the ball and Harry McKirdy nicked possession but Tom Grivosti denied the former Aston Villa man with a last-ditch tackle on the 38th minute, before Nathan Thomas was denied by Ruddy with a header two minutes later.

Three minutes before the break, it was the hosts' turn to try their luck. A good long-range effort from Joe Chalmers saw Collin have to go full stretch, although the 34-year-old was well behind it and saved well.

Seven minutes after the restart, Ross County took the lead. Collin denied Brian Graham. The loose ball, though, was met by Power who tapped home the rebound.

From the restart, Nathan Thomas had a good chance at the other end but just dragged his effort wide.

Then, on 71 minutes, the Staggies should have gone two goals ahead. Nathaniel Knight-Percival fouled a Ross County man. Harry Paton put the ball in the back of the net but referee Steven McLean had already blown for a free-kick.

But the hosts did double their advantage, with Vigurs unleashing a free-kick which went through a packed area and into the net.

Nathan Thomas started for Carlisle for the first time since he re-joined the club at Victoria Park.

He had been at Brunton Park for United's 3-1 win over League One team Tranmere on Tuesday night and re-signed the next day, having cut short his initial Gillingham loan to return to the Blues on a season-long loan from Sheffield United.

There was also another start for trialist Kwame Thomas who scored twice in Carlisle's midweek success against Tranmere.

Meanwhile, the other two remaining trialists, Aaron Hayden and Mohammed Ali Sagaf, started on the bench for Carlisle.

Cumbrian goalkeeper Collin captained United against the reigning Scottish Championship champions.

Having returned from injury and trained on Thursday, defender Jack Iredale was named on the Cumbrians' bench and came on for the second half.

Former Bury and Oldham man Ruddy started in goal for the home team.

Carlisle United: Collin (c), Elliott (Hayden 56), Mellish (Iredale 45), N.Thomas (Charters 76), Jones, Scougall, McKirdy, K.Thomas (Galloway 66), Webster (Branthwaite 84), Bridge (Sagaf 66), Knight-Percival.

Carlisle unused sub: Gray.

Ross County: Ruddy, Fraser (c) (Kelly 79), Kelly (McKay 45), Draper (Virgurs 45), Grivosti (Fontaine 64), Mullin (Paton 45), Watson (Power 45), Armstrong (Van der Weg 45), Spittal (Graham 45), Chalmers (Morris 45), Stewart (Gardyne 45).

Ross County unused sub: Laidlaw.

Ross County goal: Power (52) and Vigurs (74).

Ref: Steven McLean.

Crowd: 735 (107 Carlisle fans).