Paul Simpson preferred the pacy Magno Vieira to Glenn Murray up front. Otherwise United were unchanged from the side who ground out a 1-0 victory at Burton on Saturday. There was a carnival atmosphere inside Underhill with Barnet due to be awarded the Conference championhip trophy at the end of the game. Ben Strevens put in a testing cross after 8 minutes but Glennon was at full stretch to grab it with the dangerous Giuliano Grazioli lurking. Glennon was at his best on 14 minutes when he did well to save from Grazioli who turned and shot sharply after a ball in from the flank by Richard Graham. Vieira had a shot in response for United but his effort was off target. Then the Brazilian had a chance to feed Murphy but shot well over the top. United broke up a Barnet attack and Lumsdon attempted a long-range effort with a shot he pulled wide of the right post. Holmes tested the Bees with a shot that bounced off Yakubu's chest. Adam Murray had a deflected shot from the corner that followed, to bring another corner kick, but Scott Tynan grabbed the second kick comfortably. Vieira then made the big breakthrough for the visitors when his first shot was blocked and the follow-up shot found the corner of the net beating Tynan low down. Murphy was booked moments later for a late challenge. Liam Hatch got a yellow for dissent as United earned a free kick just outside Barnet's box. Lumsdon's shot appeared to catch the post as it went out for a goal kick. Adam Murray had a left foot shot fly well off target as the Cumbrians continued to look the part. Barnet went close to levelling things up close to half-time when Hatch put in a header and Grazioli nudged a second header inches wide of the far post. There were no changes in personnel at the break and United came out looking to keep Barnet and their fans quiet. Vieira and Holmes combined to create an early chance from a quick free kick but Tynan saved. Dean Sinclair was robbed by Gray who conceded a corner as Barnet tried to assert themselves, but Glennon was impeded as the corner came over. Graham put in a tricky cross that was touched on by Strevens but the ball crept wide of the post. Graham managed two more crosses as the Cumbrians came under pressure and Barnet forced another corner. Hatch did well to collect a Strevens pass and force Glennon into a fine save, conceding yet another corner. Vieira and Lumsdon tried to extend Carlisle's advantage as United lifted some of the pressure. Holmes then nodded down a Murray cross to Murphy but the Irishman's shot was straight at Tynan. Sinclair made a quick dart and set up Strevens who fired across goal as the game went end to end. Then Strevens did well to beat Cowan and set up Grazioli for a rasping shot that went narrowly over the bar. From a Barnet header the ball was handled on the line by Cowan who was sent off. The referee pointed to the spot. Clist stepped up and fired straight over the bar. Another red card was immediately waved at Livesey who walked off in disgust, leaving United down to nine men but still leading. Graham set up Sinclair who shot over as Barnet tried to take advantage of the nine men. Nicky Bailey replaced Simon Clist. Derek Holmes got a well-earned rest as Glenn Murray came on with 9 minutes of normal time left. Hatch headed over with United committed to defending their box. Hendon was booked as the game remained niggly. Dwane Lee and Sinclair combined to set up the latter who fired just wide. The referee added on five minutes, much to Paul Simpson's amusement. Four minutes into injury time Glennon pulled off a great punched save at his far post. Seconds from the end Grazioli put in an overhead kick to equalise with virtually the last kick of the match. Al's verdict: A farcical finish but it doesn't matter as a point is enough to take us into the play-offs. United did really well until the dramatic incident that saw two of our players sent off and the night turned a bit sour at that point. It was a real shame we couldn't cling on through the ridiculously long extra time period and of course the two players ordered off. It spolit a very good game of football with both sides showing why they are in the top two positions. Simmo now has a problem with Cowan and Livesey likely to miss the first play off fixture. |
