Mansfield Town 3-2 Carlisle United

Curle was only appointed as Carlisle manager on Friday

Keith Curle's first game in charge of League Two's basement club Carlisle ended in narrow defeat at Mansfield.

But despite the defeat, former Stag Curle must have been encouraged by the fightback from his team.

Lee Beevers' header put the hosts ahead and Rakish Bingham's volley and low strike made it 3-0 at the break.

David Amoo crashed home from 10 yards out to pull one back and Kyle Dempsey's effort gave the visitors hope of an unlikely point, but Mansfield held on.

Carlisle remain without a league win this season and rooted to the foot of League Two, while Mansfield climbed to eighth.

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"I thought first half we were excellent. To carry that performance on from Tuesday night [win over Morecambe] and to score three good goals was excellent.

"You have to give Carlisle credit. In the second half, they played very well. But credit has to be given to the players at this football club as well. We are working extremely hard.

"I am pleased with the lads, with the resolve we showed and - more importantly - with the three points."