Carlisle City 2 Carlisle United 1: Carlisle City shocked a Carlisle United side featuring a number of pros to reach the final of the Cumberland Cup.

Jim Nichols’ Northern League Division Two side came from behind to claim a memorable semi-final victory at Gillford Park.

They got the better of the cup holders to set up a final against Wetheriggs United.

And they did so deservedly, despite going behind to a first-half Tyrese Omotoye goal.

Jordan Holt levelled for the hosts and, after United sub Charlie Watt was sent off just eight minutes after coming on, Jordan Irving hit City's winner from the penalty spot.

The game, watched by Blues manager Paul Simpson, saw a number of senior pros fail to grab their chance to impress for the professional outfit.

The game saw a first United outing since October for fit-again Gime Toure, with Lewis Alessandra, Magnus Norman, Mitchell Roberts and Owen Windsor among the visiting starters, but it was Jim Nichols’ City who grabbed the headlines with their fightback.

United forced the first real chance when midfielder Josh Dixon aimed a low shot on target but was denied by home keeper Kyle Townsley.

One of City’s former Blues contingent, Keighran Kerr, then came close to an opened when he shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Kerr later tested Magnus Norman after beating Max Kilsby to a high ball, in a half when the visitors struggled to create chances.

City pressed and harried the Blues well – but then fell behind on 33 minutes.

The opener came when Lewis Alessandra took a quick free-kick and when Toure attacked down the right and crossed, Norwich City loan striker Omotoye controlled before turning and firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

That earned United a half-time lead, with a highly competitive City side aggrieved that ref Alan Charters blew for the interval just as Jordan Palmer was on the attack after a drop-ball.

Nichols’ side, though, remained very much in the contest and after Alessandra and Omotoye failed to double United’s lead, City went close through Palmer – and then levelled when former Blues pro Holt ran onto a ball over the top and finished well across Norman.

United then replaced Toure with Watt, and the teenage sub was soon into the book for bringing down Jay Kelly after a bright run from the City left-back.

The game’s major flashpoint then followed, with Watt penalised for a challenge on Palmer, earning the sub a second yellow card some eight minutes after coming on.

With United reduced to ten men, Irving made no mistake from the penalty spot to give the underdogs the lead.

Birch’s side looked for a way back through Omotoye, who was denied by a good Townsley save, while City cleared off the line following a scramble.

But United otherwise rarely looked like coming back against a City defence that was well marshalled by ex-Blues centre-half Dan Kirkup, and City, who had the better of the second half in general, secured the win that sets up a final at Penrith’s Frenchfield Park against Wetheriggs United on Tuesday, April 26.

City: Townsley, Olsen, Kelly, Bowman, Kirkup, Holt, Kerr (Studholme 76), Simpson, Irving (Grandison 83), Seggie, Palmer (Hartley 90). Not used: Johnstone, Roberts.

Goals: Holt 60, Irving 73pen

United: Norman, Bell, Roberts, Dixon, Ellis, Kilsby, Toure (Watt 64), Windsor, Fishburn, Alessandra, Omotoye. Not used: Breeze, Bollado, Carr, Potts.

Goal: Omotoye 33.

Ref: Alan Charters.