Carlisle United 1 Exeter City 1: New-look Carlisle United fought back to earn a point against Exeter thanks to a Jamie Devitt free-kick.

The midfielder curled home his 10th of the season from the edge of the box to cancel out Nicky Law's opener.

That saw the Blues improve to earn a share of the spoils after the visitors had the better of the first half.

It kept Steven Pressley's side fifth in League Two in front of a 4,851 crowd.

United's boss handed debuts to new signings Nathan Thomas and Callum O'Hare, Thomas featuring on the right of a front three that included Devitt as a 'false nine' and Hallam Hope on the left.

O'Hare started on the left of the midfield three - but it was Matt Taylor's side who made the better early running.

They could have scored early on, with Jonathan Forte fed over the top in the third minute, but the striker fired across goal and wide.

Adam Collin then made a vital close-range save to deny Forte after nine minutes following Archie Collins' lofted pass.

The impressive Law then shot the visitors in front, rifling home left-footed after his initial free-kick attempt had hit the wall.

Collin was called upon again to deny Lee Martin, as Taylor's side continued to show the greater invention.

United took time to settle and it was not until the half-hour that they had a serious attempt, Sheffield United loanee Thomas fed in the D and firing over.

Aston Villa prospect O'Hare showed some bright moments in combination with Hallam Hope, and they fed Devitt to shoot over from outside the box.

United went closer a minute later when Tom Parkes received the ball 35 yards out, stepped past an opponent and let fly.

Keeper Christy Pym parried the shot, and when Thomas collected it, he beat a man and bent in an attempt with the outside of his foot, the ball curling just wide of the far post.

Devitt was denied again by Pym just before half-time as Carlisle ended the half in better shape.

They then built a better response in the second half, new midfielder Stefan Scougall replacing Regan Slater at the break for his debut.

Devitt headed a Danny Grainger cross over while, at the other end, Randell Williams curled wide for the Grecians.

Thomas was denied by Pym for United while O'Hare showed promising signs of creativity as Carlisle looked for the leveller.

With Mark Cullen also on for his Blues debut, replacing Thomas, Hope almost got it on 74 minutes, hammering the crossbar with a 25-yard attempt.

The equaliser then did come on 78 minutes, O'Hare fouled and Devitt sending the set-piece past Pym.

Ryan Bowman was on for Exeter against his home-city club in the closing stages but neither side could find a winner.

Peter Grant, another new signing, was among the subs with Gary Liddle also in the squad after injury.

United next go to Crewe on Tuesday night.

United: Collin, Miller, Grainger, Parkes, Gerrard, Etuhu, Slater (Scougall 46), O'Hare, Devitt, Thomas (Cullen 70), Hope. Subs: Gray, Liddle, Jones, Grant, McCarron.

Exeter: Pym, Sweeney, Woodman, O'Shea, Wilson, Collins, Taylor, Williams (A Martin 79), Law, L Martin, Forte (Bowman 72). Subs: Hamon, Jay, Wilson, Brown, Dean.