A FORTNIGHT ago Maurice Malpas described Leeds United's victory at the County Ground as daylight robbery, but if that's the case then Carlisle should be among Britain's most wanted criminals as they stole a point from Wiltshire with an 86th minute equaliser.
And Peter Murphy played the leading role of the visitor's villain, heading home Simon Hackney's corner before escaping unpunished from a clear foul on Hasney Aljofree inside the area with time running out.
Had Town been awarded a last-gasp penalty it would have been no more than they deserved for arguably their best performance of the season.
A creative, passing display saw them dominate their high-flying opponents from start to finish, and midfielder Craig Easton revealed it was exactly the reaction to some recent under-par performances that Town boss Maurice Malpas had been asking for.
"It's disappointing because we've put everything into the game and I think it's the first time we've played 80 minutes, nearly a full 90 that we can be proud of," he admitted.
"Other games, we've been good for the first half or little spells, but I think we can be proud of the full game, and unfortunately it wasn't enough to get the three points.
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"The gaffer's always on about getting reactions. We were unhappy with the way we defended in the 15-minute spell against Orient, and I don't think we saw anything near that kind of level in this game.
"That's a reaction from the back four and the rest of the team to defend really well, and I'm just gutted it wasn't enough to get the win."
The sides went in goalless at half-time, largely thanks to Carlisle keeper Keiren Westwood, who pulled off a series of fine saves to keep Town's Anthony McNamee-inspired attack at bay, including an amazing triple stop from Simon Cox, Blair Sturrock and Easton.
And the hosts were left to rue their missed chances nine minutes after the restart when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson headed Carlisle in front.
That could have seen Town capitulate, but they continued to press and were rewarded in the 61st minute as Cox netted at the second attempt from Michael Timlin's cross.
When Sturrock latched on to Peter Brezovan's long punt down field and smashed the ball past Westwood with 11 minutes remaining it appeared that Town had sealed the victory, however Murphy snuck in free to head home the equaliser in the 86th minute.
The home side drove forward once more in search of all three points and thought they had the chance to win it as Murphy used Aljofree as a stepladder to make a clearance from inside his own box, but amazingly the referee refused Town's penalty claim.
Although they ultimately didn't get the result they deserved, Easton was full of praise for Town's goal heroes, who had both been suffering in front of the net.
"I'm chuffed for the two lads - hopefully it will give them the confidence to go on and get a few more before the end of the season," he said.
"Coxy has missed a few chances but keeps putting himself up for it and he's got his reward. Also Blair has been working tirelessly for us but needed a goal and I'm really chuffed for him that he got one.
"If we can keep getting the ball out to Macca and he can keep putting those sort of crosses in then there'll be plenty more goals to come."
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