Forest Green were beaten 4-2 by Carlisle United after Harvey MacAdam's late strike and Georgie Kelly's penalty helped Carlisle to all three points in an end-to-end battle at Brunton Park.

Rovers had hit back twice with goals from Jayden Clarke and Harvey Bunker cancelling out a Regan Linney double but the hosts hit twice in the latter stages.

Two Clarke corners caused the hosts some problems in the early stages, his first saw debutant Temi Babalola prod just wide, whilst the second came back off the upright direct from the delivery.

Tom Knowles forced Gabe Breeze into a low save with a strike from distance but just a minute later, Carlisle took the lead through Linney's low strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Luke McNicholas made a superb save to deny Kelly's low effort following a neat Carlisle move.

Rovers hit back after some excellent work from Jili Buyabu on the right side, he slid across to Clarke who swept home into the bottom corner to level things up.

Clarke came inches away from getting us in front but his free-kick whistled past the post.

However, just before the break, Linney strode forward towards the edge of the area and struck into the bottom corner.

Half-time: Carlisle United 2-1 Forest Green

Rovers hit back once more after the break - Isaac Moore teed up Bunker who drove into the penalty area and fired home past Breeze.

Laurent Mendy was shown a second yellow for a challenge on halfway with Rovers down to 10 with 25 minutes to play.

Jack Ellis went close for the hosts, he was found inside the penalty area, but he struck right-footed over the crossbar.

The hosts grabbed a late winner through substitute MacAdam as he fired a low effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Kelly then made sure of the points with a well-taken spot-kick after United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time.

Full-time: Carlisle United 4-2 Forest Green

Carlisle United: Breeze, Davies, Harper, Feeney, Hayden, Kelly, Linney (Armstrong 90), Gilliead (MacAdam 60), Williams, Grant (Ellis 60), Conn-Clarke (Jones 60)

Subs not used: Lewis, Ajiboye, Whelan.

Forest Green: McNicholas, Kengni, Knowles, Mendy, Inniss, Moore (Moore-Taylor 66), Bunker, Whitwell, Clarke (Long 73), Buyabu (Bamba 83), Babalola (Doidge 83)

Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton, Balagizi.

Attendance: 8,598 (124 away)