Gabe Breeze’s dramatic added-time penalty save secured relegation-threatened Carlisle a vital 3-2 win against League Two leaders Port Vale at Brunton Park.

Carlisle took the lead in the 36th minute through Georgie Kelly’s fourth in three games and they doubled their lead seven minutes later through Matty Dennis.

The Cumbrians’ excellent performance continued in the 49th minute when Aaron Hayden got his third of the season, but Jayden Stockley pulled one back for the visitors in the 61st minute and their comeback continued through Sam Hart in the 70th minute.

They had a last-gasp chance to complete the turnaround through a Lorent Tolaj penalty, but Breeze produced an excellent stop.

Carlisle took the lead through Kelly, who produced an excellent finish as he latched onto a Sean Fusire pass and hit a shot into the bottom left corner from the right side of the box.

The Cumbrians doubled their lead after Kelly slid a ball into the area to Fusire whose shot hit the post but Dennis was there to tap in the rebound.

Carlisle got their third just after the break as Hayden headed home, but Port Vale pulled one back as Stockley headed in from close range after Ben Garrity had headed across goal.

Darren Moore’s side then got a second, as substitute Hart tapped home at the back post after the Cumbrians failed to deal with a Mitch Clark cross.

The Valiants were then awarded a penalty in added time after a high boot from Hayden on Stockley, but Breeze guessed the right way and saved Tolaj’s penalty to secure the points.