The Ivory Coast striker wasn't expected to feature but Paul Hart took a gamble by starting him and it paid off after Pompey went a goal down after just two minutes.
Aaron Mokoena clearly tugged back Joe Anyinsah in the area after the Carlisle striker got the wrong side of him to concede a stupid penalty. Ian Harte stepped up to convert as the home fans sensed an upset.
The Cumbrians piled on the pressure as Belhadj and Mokoena continued to play Pompey into trouble but thankfully we got our act together soon after and grabbed an equaliser when John Utaka rounded Lenny Pidgeley in the Carlisle goal which led to Dindane scoring on his Pompey debut.
That ended 24 minutes of misery for the away supporters who had travelled the length of the country to watch this game and they were celebrating again after Danny Webber headed in Hassan Yebda's cross.
Both Webber and Basinas came close at the end of the first half but found the start of the second half tough as Greg Abbott's side went close after Anyinsah headed wide but Pompey killed the game when Dindane found himself in acres of space on the right and squared the ball for Anthony Vanden Borre to slot in his first goal for Pompey.
That goal seemed to kill off the hosts and Pompey could have had more if Piquionne had connected better with his effort or if Pidgeley hadn't produced a great save to deny him at the death.
I feel a huge sense of relief after this tie because I really thought we'd be embarrassed after such a nightmare start. Thankfully Dindane showed his class and grabbed that goal when he did as that restored our confidence and gave us a platform to build on.
However, the defence still sounded very shaky from what the radio commentary were suggesting and we simply must tighten up in Yakubu and Saha aren't going to go to town on us on Saturday.
On the other hand, Aruna Dindane may be the key to unlock the Everton defence after a very good debut. Paul Hart will certainly be the most relieved man tonight considering there are reports suggesting that David O'Leary or Glenn Hoddle are being lined up to replace him should results not improve.
He'll still need a good result against Everton to stave off the vultures, but at least there was no cup humiliation tonight.