Championship side Stoke proved too strong for gutsy Carlisle as second-half goals from Freddie Anderson and Emre Tezgel secured a hard-earned 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup.
League Two Carlisle made an encouraging start in the first round tie at Brunton Park, with Archie Davies and Josh Vela both going close early on.
The Potters replied with Lewis Koumas firing narrowly off target, before Niall Ennis was thwarted by a smart stop from Carlisle goalkeeper Harry Lewis.
The woodwork then saved the home side as Sol Sidibe thumped a shot against the crossbar, after Ennis’ initial effort had been saved.
The hosts went close in the 43rd minute when Charlie Wyke smashed the ball into the side-netting following Harrison Neal’s smart tee-up.
A youthful Stoke side opened the scoring in the 49th minute. Anderson grabbed his debut goal, heading home as he met Lewis Baker’s clipped cross.
Dutchman Million Manhoef then struck the crossbar with a crisp shot as the Potters threatened a second.
Neal responded as his snapshot was well saved by veteran stopper Frank Fielding.
The Cumbrians’ Ben Barclay struck a shot against a post, with Jon Mellish lashing the rebound off target.
However, Stoke substitute Tezgel slotted his first senior goal to make it 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining, after latching onto Lynden Gooch’s through-ball.
