FROM the moment the match ball arrived on the pitch in an RAF helicopter just before kick-off you somehow knew this was not going to be just a normal League One encounter.

The spectacular start thrilled the watching spectators and was a sign of things to come as two of the strongest sides in League One turned on the style.

That made for an entertaining and enthralling encounter which was ultimately settled by a last gasp Lee Barnard header that made sure of Southend United's place in the end of season play-offs.

But Blues were made to work tremendously hard for their latest triumph as the Cumbrians, who boast the best home record in the league, piled on the pressure at the start of the second half.

During that spell Simon Hackney cancelled out Charlie Mulgrew's opener, but the dismissal of defender David Raven for a mistimed 67th-minute tackle on Nicky Bailey, proved decisive and allowed the Seasiders to work their way back into the game.

They needed no such invitation early on, however, as the visitors dominated the opening ex-changes.

Striker James Walker curled a 25-yard shot at keeper Kieran Westwood after just five minutes and two minutes later Blues were ahead as on-loan Mulgrew bagged his first goal for the club.

The left back, borrowed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, delivered a dangerous ball into the box from 30 yards which fizzed just over the head of Adam Barrett before nestling into the bottom-left-hand corner of the net.

Second-placed Carlisle, who were also desperate for the points as they strive to secure automatic promotion, thought they had equalised in the 19th minute but Danny Graham's close range volley, from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's right wing cross was ruled out for offside.

Blues immediately hit back with Mark Gower unleashing a 25-yard shot that was tipped around the right post by Westwood.

And in the final action of the opening half, the custodian gratefully gathered a well-struck left foot shot from Barnard.

Carlisle manager John Ward was clearly unhappy with his side's first half display and he chose to make two half-time substitutions as both Peter Murphy and Gary Madine entered the action.

Ward also ditched his side's 4-5-1 formation for a more offensive 4-4-2 immediately the home-side started to show their strengths.

They forced two corners in the first two minutes of the second period and Scott Dobie also stabbed an instinctive effort wide of the right post.

Carlisle continued to enjoy more of the ball and, with 52 minutes on the clock, they equalised when a right wing free-kick from Hackney deceived Darryl Flahavan at the near post and squeezed over the goal-line.

The equaliser also raised the spirits of the home supporters and also led to the match turning nasty for a short period.

Bridge-Wilkinson was booked for a foul on Bailey and when the Blues midfielder returned to the field he was immediately cautioned for an aerial challenge on Chris Lumsdon.

The yellow cards added even more spice to the game and, moments later, Flahavan did well to deny Dobie from close range.

That again increased the noise levels inside Brunton Park but, with 23 minutes remaining, the home supporters were left incensed when Raven was shown a red card for a going over the top of the ball in tackling Bailey.

The incident meant the Shrimpers midfielder was heckled and heavily booed for the remainder of the match.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Carlisle should have immediately have taken the lead when Graham somehow headed wide of the target from four yards.

Southend replied with Barnard dragging a 20 yard shot wide of the left post and, in the 85th minute, substitute Alex Revell nodded over a left wing cross from Gower.

Blues were now looking threatening and they came agonisingly close to retaking the lead when Barnard collected a pass from Bailey and curled a fine shot against the inside the right post.

But both Barnard and Blues were not to denied as in the very last minute of normal time the striker latched onto a superb cross from Gower and headed past Westwood to spark wild celebrations among his team-mates and the loyal travelling supporters.