Jeff Hughes' fifth goal of the season earned Bristol Rovers a point – but the Pirates had more than enough chances to have claimed all three after fighting back from behind at Brunton Park.

Paul Trollope's side had to weather an early storm and fell behind to a spectacular long-range strike from the Cumbrians' experienced player-coach Graham Kavanagh in the fourth minute.

But after Hughes put them back on level terms nine minutes later, the Gas enjoyed the better of things without being able to land the killer blow.

Bristol Rovers, seeking to avenge their 3-2 defeat by Carlisle at the Memorial Stadium on the opening day of the season, named the same starting line-up and bench they had used in their 2-0 victory at Oldham in midweek.

Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott had called for a flying start from his side - and his players supplied it.

They forced four successive corners in the opening three minutes and then made their breakthough in spectacular style a minute later.

Midfielder Kavanagh picked the ball up and set his sights before unleashing a ferocious right-footed strike from 30 yards which keeper Steve Phillips got a hand to but couldn't keep out of the net.

Rovers had a chance to grab a quick leveller from an eighth-minute Stuart Campbell corner, but Rickie Lambert couldn't keep his header down and saw his attempt fly over the bar.

Lambert was to play his part in the Pirates' 13th-minute equaliser though. His pass found Ryan Green, whose ball forward picked out a good run by Hughes.

Though the winger stumbled as he tried to bring the ball under control, it wrongfooted Carlisle's defence and allowed the winger the chance to recover and find space to fire past keeper Ben Williams from six yards for his fifth goal of the season.

Hughes was causing problems again in the 35th minute and Carlisle were forced to foul him just outside their box. Stuart Campbell took the free kick quickly but Lambert sent a low header wide of the target.

Hughes had a great chance to put the Gas ahead three minutes before the break when Darryl Duffy sent him clear, but this time Williams managed to save his low strike.

Rovers went close to taking the lead three times early in the second half.

First, Ryan Green's throw-in reached Chris Lines, whose shot on the turn from the edge of the six yard box flew over the top.

Then Duffy's volley from 20 yards looked to be looping into the net, only for Williams to brilliantly fingertip it over the bar.

And Lambert headed the sort of chance he would normally bury wide of the post from another Campbell corner.

Carlisle had struggled to create chances after their early strike, but went close on the hour when substitute Michael Bridges nodded a Kavanagh free kick just over the top.

Then the home side were carved open again after 68 minutes when Duffy fed Lambert inside the box, but the Scouser's finish lacked power and Peter Murphy was able to make a goal-line clearance.

There were chances at either end in the final quarter with Bridges sending an angled volley vide for the home side before David Pipe saw a shot blocked for Rovers after good work by Lines.

The Pirates had a late appeal for a spot kick rejected when substitute Jo Kuffour tumbled as he tried to capitalise after exchanging passes with Lambert, but the referee waved their pleas away.

Then, at the other end, Cleveland Taylor blasted a good chance over the top from 12 yards for the home side.

Carlisle United: Williams, Kane, Murphy, Keogh, Liddle, Taylor, Thirlwell, Kavanagh, Neal (Dobie 53) Graham (Bridges 36), Anyinsah. Subs (not used): Raven, Lumsdon, Madine.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Green, Anthony, Elliott, Lescott, Pipe, Campbell, Lines, Hughes, Lambert, Duffy (Kuffour 72). Subs (not used): Jacobson, Hinton, Disley, St Louis-Hamilton.