Full-time: Bristol Rovers 3 Carlisle United 2

​Bristol Rovers 3 Carlisle United 2: Chris Lines was Bristol Rovers’ last-gasp hero with a stoppage-time winner as the Pirates twice came back from behind to finally end their six-game losing run.

The midfielder bundled home a Stuart Campbell corner right at the death to settle a rollercoaster affair.

The Gas looked likely to suffer defeat number seven when former Bristol City defender Richard Keogh headed Carlisle into a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute.

But Jeff Hughes conjured up a goal out of nothing when he curled a left-foot shot in off a post eight minutes from time.

Jo Kuffour had put Rovers on level terms at the interval after Ian Harte’s goal had given United the advantage at a windswept Memorial Stadium.

Manager Paul Trollope made four changes to the side that had started the FA Cup defeat by Southampton, with loan duo Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson both recalled.

But there was also a first league start for young winger Ben Swallow wide on the left, while Dominic Blizzard opened on the other flank as the Pirates reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

The Pirates kicked off playing towards the Blackthorn End and against a strong, gusty wind and there were soon signs of early nerves for the home side.

First Carl Regan had to clear a dangerous cross from Joe Anyinsah which took a deflection before flying across the face of the Pirates’ box.

Then, in the 12th minute, Carlisle failed to punish the home side for a mix-up at the back.

Swallow got in Anthony’s way and as neither player made a clearance, Vincent Pericard pounced on the loose ball. But Andersen did brilliantly to somehow deflect the Carlisle man’s low shot up and over the bar.

The Cumbrians were to take the lead in the 21st minute though as Rovers’ defensive frailties were exposed again. They failed to react quickly enough as Graham Kavanagh delivered a cross from the visitors’ left and Harte dashed in to volley home from close range.

Rovers had struggled to make much headway against the elements. Too often they failed to hold the ball up front – and when Dickson and the overlapping Jeff Hughes both had chances to deliver crosses, they found only Carlisle defenders.

Stuart Campbell’s ambitious long-range free kick, which was blasted high over the bar, summed up their frustrations until Kuffour struck to put them level in the 34th minute.

This time is was Carlisle who were guilty of poor defending as a cluster of red shirts failed to deal with a ball that was allowed to bounce inside their box.

Kuffour showed determination to win possession before turning to fire across keeper Lenny Pidgeley and inside the far post from eight yards.

The goal seemed to settle the home side down and they started to put a bit more pressure on, Blizzard unlucky to see a left-foot shot deflected away for a corner.

But Pericard provided a reminder for Carlisle with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box which flashed narrowly wide.

Then Coles brought a diving save from Pidgeley with a header from a Campbell corner.

Rovers opened the second period with the gale at their backs and looking a lot more positive.

Kuffour was unable to turn the ball home at the far post in an early spell of pressure, then an excellent run by Hughes almost brought reward.

He won possession deep inside his own half and sped past Richard Keogh before delivering a cross which was picked up by Kuffour.

He fed strike partner Dickson, whose shot from the edge of the box just cleared the crossbar.

The on-loan Charlton striker had another opportunity minutes later, but this time he was well off target with a left-foot shot.

Dickson had not enjoyed the best afternoon and made way for Darryl Duffy just after the hour, with Andy Williams replacing Swallow – who had given a decent enough account of himself – a few minutes later.

Kuffour broke through but chose to try and find Williams rather than risk an angled shot and another move came to nothing.

Carlisle were to take the lead again after 71 minutes as Rovers were guilty of poor marking from another cross. Matt Robson was the provider this time and Richard Keogh rose at far post to head home and silence a home crowd who had been giving the former Ashton Gate player stick.

Rovers made their final change when Charlie Reece replaced Blizzard with 15 minutes left – and Chris Lines was unlucky to see a low free kick deflect straight into the arms of Pidgeley.

But the home side levelled eight minutes from time when Lines found Hughes, and the left-back curled a shot past Pidgeley and in off the inside of a post.

Then Lines arrived to scramble home a dramatic late winner which sparked scenes of relief and celebration among the home fans.

Bristol Rovers: Andersen, Regan, Anthony, Coles, Hughes, Blizzard (Reece 75), Campbell, Lines, Swallow (Williams 67), Kuffour, Dickson (Duffy 63). Subs (not used): Evans, Elliott, Hunt, Clough.

Carlisle: Pidgeley, Horwood, Livesey, Harte, Keogh, Kavanagh, Robson, Taiwo, Anyinsah (Hurst 86), Clayton, Pericard (Dobie 73). Subs: Collin, Bridge-Wilkinson, Murphy, Offiong, Kane.

Attendance: 5,862.