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Three of the four also being long distance trips to then Premiership outfit Charlton in 2006-07 and Bristol City this season, while the other of those was a journey to London to play Queens Park Rangers in 2008-09. The only home second round tie earned being an uninspiring tie against Coventry City.
United have met the Robins once before in the League Cup at Ashton Gate, that again in the second round of 1981-82 back in the days when it took two legs to decide a tie. Carlisle, having drawn 0-0 at Brunton Park in the opening game, losing 2-1 in the return leg in Bristol despite having been 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Gordon Staniforth penalty.
The two sides have also met in the competition in a, yep - second round tie, one other time, that being a hearty 4-1 win at Brunton Park for Carlisle in late 1964 thanks to goals from Hughie McIlmoyle (2), Barry Brayton and Johnny Evans. That match only remarkably being 11 years older than the last time United made it to round three when they lost 2-0 at Everton in the 1975-76 campaign.
Carlisle's overall record at Ashton Gate is pretty grim over the years too, the Blues only claiming two wins and five draws from the 19 games played in south Bristol. Perhaps the only two United players looking forward to the 550 mile round trip being former City men Joe Anyinsah (2 starts and 7 substitute appearances) and Richard Keogh (30 starts and 24 substitute appearances).
Robins boss Gary Johnson is understandably happy with a home tie though as he commented to his club's official website :
"It's great news that we've been given a home tie, especially for our supporters. However, we won't be taking anything for granted because several Championship teams have already gone out at the hands of lower league opposition. It's a good tie to look forward to when it comes around."
Carling Cup second round draw in full
West Bromwich Albion v Rotherham United
Norwich City v Sunderland
Tranmere Rovers v Bolton Wanderers
Queens Park Rangers v Accrington Stanley
Bristol City v Carlisle United
Leyton Orient v Stoke City
Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday
Hull City v Southend United
Leeds United v Watford
Cardiff City v Bristol Rovers
Portsmouth v Hereford United
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Wolves v Swindon Town
Gillingham v Blackburn Rovers
Blackpool v Wigan Athletic
Southampton v Birmingham City
Preston North End v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town
West Ham United v Millwall
Hartlepool United v Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough
Reading v Barnsley
Swansea City v Scunthorpe United
Doncaster Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur
Peterborough United v Ipswich Town
*Ties will be played during the week commencing 24th August 2009