CALLUM Harriott scored twice as Colchester United came from behind to claim a vital 2-1 victory over Carlisle United tonight.

The U’s claimed their first win in 15 matches in League Two, after Harriott struck twice to cancel out Jon Mellish’s first-half strike for the Cumbrians.

It was a huge win for Colchester and interim first-team coach Wayne Brown, as they showed great character to respond to going behind and claim a crucial victory at a foggy JobServe Community Stadium.

Brown made three changes to his starting line-up, with goalkeeper Shamal George, Omar Sowunmi and Aramide Oteh recalled in place of Dean Gerken, Josh Doherty and Kwame Poku.

Brown adopted a 3-5-2 formation, with Miles Welch-Hayes and Junior Tchamadeu playing as wing-backs.

Carlisle started the brighter of the two sides and came close to taking the lead when defender Aaron Hayden headed wide from a cross from former U’s winger Brennan Dickenson.

The visitors then had a penalty shout when Tom Eastman appeared to handle Gime Toure's attempted cross in the area but referee Trevor Kettle waved away their claims.

George pushed away Dickenson's 25-yard effort and although Tommy Smith's near-post header from Callum Harriott's cross was saved by keeper Farman, the Cumbrians were the better side.

George did well to dive at full stretch to push away Dickenson’s curled free-kick before Colchester fell behind in the 29th minute when Jon Mellish turned home with a low shot in the area after Colchester had failed to clear Dickenson’s corner.

Furman’s looping header was plucked out of the air by George and Dickenson fired a low shot just wide after U’s had lost possession cheaply in midfield.

Colchester went in trailing at the break and it looked like they had conceded a penalty ten minutes into the second half when referee Trevor Kettle pointed to the spot following Sowunmi's challenge on Josh Kayode in the area.

But after protests from the U's and consulting his assistant, Kettle overturned the decision and instead awarded a corner.

From the resultant set-piece, George made an important save to deny Mellish a second goal and soon after, Dickenson wastefully dragged a low shot wide after once again escaping the U’s defence, as the visitors threatened.

George pushed Joe Riley’s shot onto a post before Colchester were awarded a penalty when Furman fouled Frank Nouble in the box and Callum Harriott’s spot-kick went in off a post.

U’s boss Brown immediately sent on Jevani Brown and Michael Folivi for Welch-Hayes and Aramide Oteh after that and Smith almost gave them the lead soon after when he headed over unmarked in the area, from close range.

They did go ahead in the 74th minute though through Harriott, who struck home a left-foot long-range effort that beat Farman and nestled in the near post.

Colchester thought they had been awarded another penalty when substitute Brown was brought down by Farman in the area.

But for the second time in the match, referee Kettle reversed his decision after consulting his assistant.

It proved academic though, as Colchester held on to claim a huge win.

COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Welch-Hayes (sub Brown, 67), Eastman, Sowunmi, Smith, Tchamadeu, Wiredu, Chilvers, Harriott, Nouble (sub Cracknell 90), Oteh (sub Folivi, 67).

Subs (not used): Doherty, Senior, Poku, Coulter.

U’s man of the match: Shamal George.

Carlisle United: Farman, Tanner, Anderton, Hayden, Riley, Mellish (sub Scott, 79), Kayode, Dickenson, Furman, Toure (sub Patrick, 79), Bennett.

Subs (not used): Alessandra, McDonald, Charters, Armer, Norman.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Goals: Colchester: Harriott (67, 74). Carlisle: Mellish (29).

Bookings: Colchester: Tchamadeu (unsporting behaviour, 90).