Cumbrians dance to Pompey's tune.

Carlisle United 1 Portsmouth 3 AN early goal wasn't enough to silence the famous Pompey Chimes as the top-flight outfit left their league troubles behind to progress to the fourth round of the Carling Cup at the expense of a Carlisle side who gave as good as they got for long periods of the game.

The Cumbrians got off to a dream start when the ball bobbled awkwardly on the edge of the area.

Richard Offiong muscled his way towards it only to be dumped to the floor by a wild challenge from the wrongfooted Aaron Mokoena.

The cool-headed Ian Harte stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent visiting keeper Amir Begovic the wrong way as he placed the ball in the bottom corner.

Portsmouth tried to respond quickly with a flowing move down the left flank and Angelos Basinas did well to spot John Utaka in space. The cut-back invited the shot but it was always rising as it sped over the bar.

Peter Murphy had to stick a boot out to block an Aruna Dindane shot that was heading towards the back of the net as the visitors tried to take control, but the busy Matt Robson was a constant threat to Paul Hart's team - who have lost their first six Premier League games - as he patrolled the left wing.

But Portsmouth got themselves back on level terms on 26 minutes when a ball through the middle found Utaka in space. The Nigerian tried to take it around the advancing Lenny Pidgeley and the loose ball fell kindly for Ivory Coast striker Dindane to sweep into the gaping net for a debut goal.

And the Pompey Chimes started to ring out of the stands in earnest six minutes later when Dindane kept possession tight by the corner flag. The cross eventually came from Hassan Yebda and the unmarked Danny Webber glanced a lovely header beyond the dive of Pidgeley as the defensive inquest began.

Danny Livesey cleared off the line moments before half time when Webber skipped into acres of space inside the box.

Peter Murphy came close to equalising on 52 minutes when he stayed deep at the back post. The ball landed at his feet but his volley raced past the upright with Begovic beaten.

And Andy Anyinsah shaved the woodwork with a placed header from a Hurst delivery as the Cumbrians enjoyed the better of the second-half exchanges.

The good work was undone on 63 minutes when Dindane nipped into the area to steal possession. His pull-back needed an initial touch from Anthoy Vanden Borre but the Belgian set himself nicely as he stroked the ball beneath Pidgeley and into the back of the net to ease the pressure on beleaguered manager Hart.

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said: "We played some good football against a very, very good side. We looked good when we had the lead, and we're disappointed with the goals that we gave away, but we are pleased overall with the way that we played."

MATCH FACTS CARLISLE UNITED: Pidgeley; Raven, Murphy (Bridge-Wilkinson 73), Livesey (Keogh 73), Harte, Hurst, Taiwo (Dobie 77), Thirlwell, Robson, Offiong, Anyinsah. Subs (not used): Collin, Horwood, Rothery, Madine.

Goal: Harte 3 mins pen. PORTSMOUTH: Begovic, Kaboul, Mokoena, Mullins, Utaka, Vanden Borre, Webber (Piquionne 87), Dindane (Kanu 68), Yebda (Brown 77), Basinas, Belladj. Subs (not used): Ashdown, Mahoto, Sowah. Goals: Dindane 26 mins, Webber 32 mins, Vanden Borre 63 mins.

Referee: Nei Swarbrick (Lancashire). Attendance: 7,032.

CAPTION(S):

SHORTLIVED JOY Ian Harte, left, celebrates after scoring Carlisle's early penalty opener last night. Below: Paul Hart shows the strain on a night when his side earned a rare win in their campaign to date.