Harrogate Town 3-3 Carlisle United: Moxon's late header earns point

The Carlisle-born midfielder headed home in front of a packed away end to claim a high-scoring draw right at the death.

The Blues were heading to defeat after a poor display at the EnviroVent Stadium as Harrogate twice came from behind before leading.

Taylor Charters' opener was wiped out by Luke Armstrong, and a Ryan Edmondson effort was cancelled out by Warren Burrell.

The hosts were the better side throughout, and were value for the lead earned through Jaheim Headley's 75th-minute effort.

But United kept going and Moxon's third goal for the club saw Paul Simpson's side level with almost the final touch of the game.

Taylor Charters opens the scoring (Image: Richard Parkes)

Simpson made four changes to his starting line-up, Edmondson recalled after suspension along with fit-again Kristian Dennis, plus Corey Whelan and Fin Back.

Out went the suspended Jon Mellish while Jack Ellis, Jordan Gibson and Tobi Sho-Silva dropped to the bench.

There was one change for the hosts, as Josh Austerfield came in for Alex Pattison.

United were seeking a first win and even a first goal at this ground after three defeats and further misfortune with postponements and abandonments at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Harrogate made a bright start, Matty Daly testing Tomas Holy with an early attempt - before Carlisle took the lead in stunning style.

Their first goal at this ground came from the left boot of Charters as the west Cumbrian received the ball from Dennis and sent a brilliant strike past keeper Pete Jameson and into the top corner.

The 12th minute goal was an impressive way for Charters to end his wait for a first league goal.

United react after Armstrong's equaliser makes it 1-1 (Image: Richard Parkes)

But Carlisle failed to build on the lead, as Harrogate quickly fought back.

Danny Grant failed to convert a cross moments after United's opener, and Daly again tested Holy.

After Whelan turned a Callum Guy cross wide at the other end, the hosts then did level when Daly played Armstrong behind the defence and, as Holy advanced far from his line, the striker tucked the chance low past the keeper and into the net.

Simon Weaver's side had much the better of things from there as United struggled to keep pace with the hosts.

Armstrong came close to a quick second and later tested Holy, while Edmondson picked up a booking for a foul on his return to the side.

As Harrogate continued to break onto United's left defensive side, a further opportunity was worked to Daly, whose low finish hit the inside of the post, Carlisle surviving Austerfield's follow-up attempt and fortunate to reach half-time level.

Simpson made a change at the break, Gibson coming on for Whelan as the Blues reverted to a back four.

Ryan Edmondson celebrates putting United 2-1 up (Image: Richard Parkes)

And they were quickly back into the lead as Moxon fed Jack Armer on the left, and the defender's excellent cross found Edmondson free to head home in the 50th minute.

Yet once again Carlisle failed to protect their lead and after Grant twice came close for the hosts, they levelled on the hour mark when Burrell found space between two United players to head home a corner.

Warren Burrell heads home for Harrogate to make it 2-2 (Image: Richard Parkes)

Austerfield then came inches away from a third before Charters fired wide, the game remaining extremely open with more goals appearing likely.

Simpson introduced Sho-Silva and Jayden Harris for the last 20 minutes in a bid to turn things back United's way.

But it was Harrogate who struck next, ref Thomas Kirk playing an advantage after Callum Guy fouled Grant, and Headley advancing into space before drilling a low shot past Holy with 15 minutes to go.

Headley hits Harrogate's third (Image: Richard Parkes)

Carlisle almost levelled through Paul Huntington, whose header from a Moxon corner was tipped over by Jameson.

But then a final corner fell to Back, whose cross found its way to Moxon and he headed inside the near post.

Owen Moxon heads home for a dramatic draw (Image: Richard Parkes)

It was United's first point at the ground, and they remain seventh in League Two.

Harrogate: Jameson, Mattock, Burrell, Ramsay, Headley, Austerfield, Falkingham, Grant (McArdle 79), Daly, Muldoon, Armstrong. Not used: Oxley, Welch-Hayes, Coley, Folarin, Frost, Horbury.

Goals: Armstrong 29, Burrell 60, Headley 75.

United: Holy, Feeney, Huntington, Whelan (Gibson 46), Back, Armer, Guy, Moxon, Charters (Harris 70), Dennis (Sho-Silva 70), Edmondson. Not used: Kelly, Hilton, Ellis, Idehen.

Goals: Charters 12, Edmondson 50, Moxon 90.

Booked: Edmondson.

Ref: Thomas Kirk.

Crowd: 2,147.