But it certainly joins the pantheon of famous victories when the side has been dramatically depleted.

Such as these two…

CHESTER CITY 0 CARLISLE UNITED 1 – April 8, 2000

For sheer meaning, this one might never be topped. A relegation six-pointer in Division Three, won in the most dramatic circumstances.

Stuart Whitehead sees red at Chester (Image: Loftus Brown)

Martin Wilkinson’s Carlisle got through the majority of a gruelling game at the Deva Stadium without having a shot on target.

Things then took a dismal twist when defender Stuart Whitehead was dismissed for an elbow – and then attacker Stephen Halliday also saw red for dissent.

Yet out of the carnage emerged Scott Dobie, with a brilliant injury-time winner – which would prove utterly crucial, as Carlisle went on to save their Football League status on goal difference.

LINCOLN CITY 0 CARLISLE UNITED 1 – August 17, 2002

The chaotic essence of the Roddy Collins reign was distilled into one mad afternoon in Lincoln, when Carlisle had three players sent off yet somehow won.

United celebrate Trevor Molloy's winner in the Battle of Sincil Bank (Image: Chris Vaughan)

And featuring in the game was none other than Simon Weaver, the future Harrogate Town manager who was on the receiving end of the nine-man Blues’ win on Wednesday night.

Back in 2002, Weaver was an Imps defender who was dismissed along with Carlisle striker Richie Foran after an altercation in the seventh minute. United’s Trevor Molloy later scored a penalty – and then the Blues lost two more men, as Brian Shelley was dismissed for retaliation and Molloy went for dissent.

Somehow Collins’ eight-man Carlisle hung on to win "The Battle of Sincil Bank" 1-0, as Foran and owner John Courtenay both got embroiled in angry confrontations with stewards which would lead both to convictions for threatening behaviour. Just another quiet day in the life of the Blues.