LATICS were dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle despite a spirited second-half comeback.

Richie Wellens’ side pulled two goals back after going 3-0 down to League Two Carlisle but it wasn’t enough as the hosts hung on.

There were some familiar faces on show at Brunton Park – no-nonsense centre back Clint Hill and midfielder Mike Jones recognisable to Athletic supporters. And Carlisle striker Richie Bennett is a big Latics fan himself . . . there’s ominously more from him later.

But the most welcome familiar sight was in the visitors’ line-up – goalkeeper Johny Placide making a surprise return to the side following the passing of his mother last week.

Paul Green for Jack Byrne in midfield was the only other change to the starting XI. On loan Byrne was reportedly not given permission to play in the competition by parent club Wigan.

Latics started well and made the first real chance after only five minutes when a deflected Cameron Dummigan cross was palmed out by home goalkeeper Jack Bonham. The rebound fell to Queensy Menig who fired wide.

In a good, attacking game, Dan Gardner went closer still on 13 minutes when his long range rocket came back off the crossbar.

A Green cross found Craig Davies after 19 minutes but his effort was well saved by Bonham as the visitors started to press.

But it was Carlisle who made the breakthrough against the run of play just three minutes later. Danny Grainger’s deep corner on the right was headed back across goal by Hill for that man Bennett who nodded past Placide from close range. Wouldn’t you just know it.

The goal saw Carlisle move up a gear as they started to enjoy a better share of possession. A Jones header was thankfully straight at Placide after 32 minutes following Grainger’s left-wing cross.

Latics almost drew level two minutes later when Clarke’s bullet header flew inches wide from Green’s corner. A section of the travelling throng positioned in the stand to the side thought it was in.

Then, as it so often happens in football, Carlisle’s response was to go straight up the other end and double their advantage. Hallam Hope’s thunderbolt from 18 yards found the corner after a defensive header only reached the edge of the box.

Carlisle made it three on the hour mark when Bennett rose highest to plant home a right wing cross from close range.

That prompted a change from Wellens who sent on Aaron Amadi-Holloway to join the attack in place of Menig as the manager went 4-3-3 in search of goals. And Latics pulled one back two minutes later. Clarke, up from the back, was on hand to head Dummigan’s cross in off the post.

It was suddenly game on when substitute Amadi-Holloway prodded in from a corner after 71 minutes following his initial shot which was blocked.

Latics had a great chance to equalise with five minutes left when the ball fell to Clarke who tried to round the goalkeeper rather than shoot first time.

LATICS (4-4-2): Placide, Dummigan, Clarke, Bryan, Hunt (Nepomuceno 69); Gardner, Fane, Green (Flynn 66), Menig (Amadi-Holloway 62); Davies, Doyle. Subs (not used): Ruddy, Brian Wilson, Gerrard, Omrani.

CARLISLE (3-5-2): Bonham, Liddle, Parkes, Hill; Joyce, Grainger, Jones, Brown, Lambe (Devitt 76); Bennett (Miller 86), Hope (Etuhu 69). Subs (not used): George, Adams, O’Sullivan, Miller.

Referee: Andy Haines.

Attendance: 3,900 (796 away).