Paul Thirlwell spared team-mate Peter Murphy's blushes after he netted a leveller at Swindon.

Murphy own goal opened the scoring

Carlisle captain Paul Thirlwell spared team-mate Peter Murphy's blushes after he scored a terrific goal in a 1-1 draw at Swindon. Thirlwell fired home a 20-yard effort into the bottom right-hand corner two minutes from the end. Earlier, winger Anthony McNamee crossed from the left and Murphy, under no pressure, lashed the ball into his own net via the underside of the crossbar. Swindon had chances to win the game and top scorer Simon Cox went closest, acrobatically volleying the ball from six yards only to see his effort hit the crossbar. Strike partner Billy Paynter wasted a golden opportunity in stoppage time to win the game for the Wiltshire side. Cox put Paynter through but the striker put the ball wide of the left-hand post when he should have grabbed all three points before Thirlwell struck.