Despite piling on late pressure the home side failed to create sufficient clear-cut chances and Jordan Robertson might have sneaked all three points for the Iron in injury time with a curler which flew just wide of the far post.

Scunthorpe only troubled Adam Collin in the Carlisle goal sporadically in a stop-start first half, although Jimmy Ryan spelt early danger with a rasping cross-shot, which flew just wide.

Carlisle had the better of the possession and striker Lee Miller was just off target with a diving header before Liam Noble beat visiting goalkeeper Sam Slocombe with a raking low drive, which skidded a fraction wide.

When a chance did fall to the Iron straight after the break, defender Cliff Byrne failed to take advantage, finding space in the box but slicing his shot against the legs of a defender.

The Cumbrians suffered a blow when they lost leading scorer Miller through injury, although Lubo Michalik almost grabbed a late goal, only to see his thunderbolt bravely blocked by former Carlisle defender Paul Reid.