CARLISLE United were “surprised and shocked” at the FA charge they were landed with yesterday – but at least Tuesday’s controversial win over Oldham Athletic has not cost them the services of Tom Taiwo this afternoon.

Both clubs were charged with failing to control their players after a scuffle in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Boundary Park.

Oldham assistant manager Gerry Taggart has also been hit with an improper conduct charge after allegedly throwing punches at the Carlisle players during the 83rd-minute flashpoint, started when Lubomir Michalik tackled Oldham striker Warren Feeney in front of the home dugout. Taggart was sent to the stands, where Carlisle manager Greg Abbott was already watching the game as he served a one-match touchline ban.

Midfielder Taiwo sustained facial injuries but not the broken nose first feared. It means Abbott has no fresh injuries or suspensions for today’s League One trip to Swindon Town. In fact his options will be strengthened by the return of Gary Borrowdale.

Managing director John Nixon felt Carlisle were the innocent party on Tuesday.

“We will have to review the situation and discuss what our reply will be, but we have to say at this stage we are very surprised and shocked that any charge has been raised against us at all,” he said.

“We have our view on what happened and why during the Oldham game, so we will now look at all of our options.” Oldham are also yet to respond.

Left-back Borrowdale, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, seems certain to take his starting place back from Matty Robson.

Borrowdale was banned after his sending-off at Southampton last week.

Captain Paul Thirlwell has a knee injury, while on-loan defenders Liam Cooper and Joe Dudgeon have hand and knee problems respectively. The Cumbrians have never won at the County Ground, but last season’s play-off finalists have not won since January 3.

Carlisle will not have to worry about two former players coming back to haunt them.

Striker Vincent Pericard has a training-ground knee injury, winger Alan O’Brien a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, Abbott has urged Craig Curran to build on his first goal in eight appearances.

The substitute’s strike at Oldham was only his fourth in 35 games for Carlisle.

“If we can add goals to his work-ethic and his determination then Craig can go to a different level,” said Abbott.