COREY Whelan's own goal was the difference as Carlisle tasted defeat against Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy.

The Blues began their 23/24 EFL trophy campaign against John Coleman's side with Paul Simpson handing Josh Kayode his third Carlisle United debut after he re-joined the Cumbrians on a season-long loan from Rotherham on Deadline Day.

Simpson's side failed to win a single game in the group stages of last season's competition, and in an attempt to record their first three points of the group stages, the Blues boss made nine changes to the side that earned Carlisle their first three League One points against Shrewsbury Town, with only Jon Mellish and Fin Back remaining in the eleven.

It was the hosts who had the first chance on 11 minutes when Jack Nolan took a corner short into Dan Martin who swept a curling effort toward goal from the corner of the 18-yard box, but this effort was just over Tomas Holy's goal. 

Carlisle responded with good combination play of their own down the left-hand side with the lightning-quick Ablade and McCalmont involved. 

They worked the ball well and into the path of debutant Kayode in the box, who almost marked the occasion with a first-half strike but his effort was low and straight into the path of an outstretched Jack McIntyre.

However, the biggest moment of the half came for Blues on 23 minutes and it was Kayode involved again.

He pressured Brad Hills into a back pass to his keeper but McIntyre is off balance, slips, and is forced to watch the ball trickle just wide of his goal.

Despite these chances, the first half of Carlisle's first match in the 23/24 EFL Trophy ended goalless.

Despite Simpson's attacking change at the interval, with Butterworth replacing Back, it was Accrington who were on the front foot and won a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area within seconds of the restart.

Set-piece specialist Jack Nolan stepped up and arrowed the ball toward the top corner but Holy saved well.

In an attempt to get Carlisle back on the front foot, Simpson again turned to the bench with Garner and Charters entering the fray, with debutant Kayode and McGeouch departing.

Minutes after these changes Stanley would have their best chance of the half so far with Nolan striking the post from the edge of the box, a let-off for the Blues, whose keeper Holy was rooted to the spot.

As the second half progressed it was the hosts who had the momentum and had a number of half chances but Carlisle defended resolutely and withstood wave after wave of Accrington offense.

Despite this dogged defensive showing, it was not enough for the Blues who were punished late in the tale in the most cruel way.

Corey Whelan deflected a cross from Jack Nolan into his own goal on 86 minutes in what would prove to be the final meaningful action of the match as the Blues started their 23/24 EFL Trophy campaign in defeat.

Carlisle United: Tomas Holy, Fin Back (Danny Butterworth - 45'), Alfie McCalmont, Terry Ablade (Jordan Gibson - 72'), Jayden Harris (Ryan Edmondson - 84'), Corey Whelan, Jack Ellis, Jack Robinson, Dylan McGeouch (Taylor Charters - 62'), Jon Mellish, Joshua Kayode (Joe Garner - 62')

Subs: Gabriel Breeze, Sam Lavelle

Accrington Stanley: Jack McIntyre, Brad Hills, Liam Coyle (Ben Woods - 85'), Matt Lowe, Seb Quirk (Oliver Patrick - 85'), Rosaire Longelo, Joe Gubbins, Jack Nolan, Dan Martin, Josh Woods (Connor O'Brien - 65'), Korede Adedoyin (Shaun Whalley - 74')

Subs: Toby Savin, Bailey Sloane, Aaron Pickles