OXFORD United were knocked off the top of Sky Bet League Two as they were held at home in a chaotic game with Carlisle United.

Alex MacDonald put the home side in front, but the adventurous Cumbrians refused to go away in a swirling wind which contributed to errors on both sides.

United looked edgy defensively all afternoon and in first-half stoppage-time a panicky clearance from Joe Skarz hit Chey Dunkley and went in for an equaliser.

Charlie Wyke wasted two good chances to put Carlisle in front after the break, but United went on to strike the woodwork twice.

Chris Maguire was unlucky with a free-kick, before Kemar Roofe headed against the woodwork in the dying seconds.

With Northampton Town winning 4-3 at Luton Town, the point meant Michael Appleton's men slipped to second.

United made six changes from their midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Yeovil Town.

Roofe, Liam Sercombe and George Baldock were among those rested in midweek to come back into the side.

Benji Buchel was also in the half-dozen to come into team and the goalkeeper had plenty of work to do early on.

An offside flag ruled out Antony Sweeney's 12th-minute strike, but from then on United had to rely on their Liechtenstein international to keep the game scoreless.

On the quarter-hour mark he made a brilliant triple save to deny Jason Kennedy twice on the rebound after blocking Wyke's initial effort.

From the resulting corner Callum O'Dowda launched a dangerous counter-attack, which was cynically halted by Luke Joyce.

The midfielder was booked for the foul in United's half, but the home side were furious referee Mark Haywood did not play advantage, with O'Dowda quickly back on his feet and leading a three-on-one attack.

Carlisle came into the game as Sky Bet League Two's top scorers and from the number of men they committed forward it was easy to see why.

It made for a rip-roaring game where both sides played like it was the final stages of a cup tie.

Buchel saved well from Sweeney on the half-hour mark, before United found the killer touch.

Baldock laid the platform with a diagonal run across the penalty area and although he was brought down, this time Haywood allowed play to continue.

The ball fell to MacDonald, who caressed a first-time shot from 20 yards into the far corner of Mark Gillespie's net.

It did little to settle the game down, which continued to rattle along at a terrific pace in the wind.

United had a decent spell late in the half, only to shoot themselves in the foot in stoppage time.

They spurned several chances to clear the ball, but Carlisle kept the pressure on and when Wyke headed the ball over Mullins, Skarz came across and hacked an attempted clearance which struck Dunkley and flew into the net.

The spirit of generosity towards the visitors continued at the break, where it was announced supporters had raised £1,652 in the Fifty/50 draw for the Cumbrian Flood Appeal.

Carlisle had a good chance to go in front three minutes after the restart.

Highly-rated teenager Alex Gillead, on loan from Newcastle United, dribbled into the box and cut back for Wyke to blaze over from ten yards when he should have scored.

The hosts had rarely looked so edgy defensively this season, particularly at the Kassam Stadium.

They had to survive another nervy moment before the hour, when a corner caused chaos.

United had their moments - O'Dowda firing over and MacDonald crossing when he had a shooting chance.

But in a game where neither side was in control, Carlisle appeared to have the upper hand.

Long, wind-assisted throws from Mark Ellis were a threat and 20 minutes from time they created another good chance.

The ball was flicked to Jabo Ibehre, whose shot was parried by Buchel for Wyke to head wide.

United promptly went up the other end, where Roofe was fouled 30 yards out.

Maguire took charge and curled a beauty which beat Gillespie but smacked the crossbar and bounced clear.

There was still a quarter of an hour remaining, but neither side seriously threatened a winner until stoppage time.

Again United rattled the Carlisle crossbar, when Maguire crossed for Roofe to nod on to the woodwork and the United top scorer was denied on the rebound by Gillespie.

Oxford Utd: Buchel, Baldock, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald (Evans 82), Sercombe, Lundstram, O'Dowda (Hylton 67), Roofe, Maguire.

Unused subs: Slocombe, Long, Wright, Ruffels, Hoban.

Carlisle Utd: Gillespie, Atkinson, Raynes, Ellis, Grainger, Gillead (Asamoah 76), Kennedy, Joyce, Sweeney (Thompson 83), Wyke, Ibehre.

Unused subs: Hanford, Hery, Dicker, Archibald-Henville, Gillesphey.

Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 5,936 (388 visitors).