Carlisle United's teenagers staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Altrincham 4-1 in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.

The Blues' under-18s were trailing 1-0 into injury time at the J Davidson Stadium.

But a last-gasp Freddie O'Donoghue goal salvaged United's hopes.

And then three extra-time goals saw Mark Birch's side get the better of their National League hosts.

The victory saw United into the second round for the first time since 2020.

But they had to sweat for the result as Altrincham, after a goalless first half, opened the scoring in the 77th minute through Charley Jarrald.

Acrobatics from Freddie O'Donoghue after his injury-time equaliser that took the tie to extra-timeAcrobatics from Freddie O'Donoghue after his injury-time equaliser that took the tie to extra-time (Image: Richard Parkes)

United eventually denied the hosts victory as O'Donoghue struck from close range in added time to make it 1-1.

Carlisle then proved too strong for their opponents in extra-time, with substitute Louis Lambert firing them in front after three minutes of the first half.

And five minutes later Dan Hopper's deflected shot increased the young Blues' lead.

Simon Rigby then quickly added a fourth with United in command by the midway point of extra-time.

Simon Rigby hits United's fourth goal at AltrinchamSimon Rigby hits United's fourth goal at Altrincham (Image: Richard Parkes)

Carlisle duly saw the victory home and will now await their second round opponents.

The Cumbrians will hope to reach the third round where there will be the opportunity to draw top-flight opposition.

United's line-up included three players who have made their first-team debuts this season in O'Donoghue, Hopper and Hayden Atkinson.

United: Randall, Chapman, Hodgson (Smith 78), Penny, Porter (Bell 88), Atkinson, Hopper (Hatton 109), Skinner (Edgar 114), O'Donoghue, Lowes (Lambert 63), Rigby. Not used: Sillitoe, Matthews.