Brendan McGill and Peter Murphy were back for United, but Murphy didn't even last until half-time. He was sent off after 21 minutes and with the home side already well on top, this incident virtually presented the points to the Shrews. Shrewsbury had four efforts on goal inside the first two minutes. Peter Keen was in inspired form to keep them out. Jamie Tolley, Ryan Lowe and Mick Heathcote all brought the best out of the Cumbrians' overworked keeper. On 16 minutes a mistake by Lee Andrews allowed Steve Guinan in and his strong cross-shot brought yet another stop out of that man Keen. On 20 minutes Ian Woan and Luke Rodgers combined well and Rodgers shot was pushed out by Keen. Guinan then looked set to score but Craig McAughtrie made a great last-ditch tackle. Another minute and Murphy went in high with studs showing on his opponent leaving the referee with little choice but to send him from the field for violent conduct. Foran was booked as tempers flared and for the next few minutes Carlisle were in danger of having more players either booked or ordered off. Roddy Collins switched to playing three at the back in an attempt to limit the damage. The move failed to work. On 35 minutes Lowe fired wide when he had a good opening. But three minutes later he was finally on target and this time Keen couldn't stop him. Heathcote headed across the face of goal and Lowe made no mistake with the ball going in off the inside of a post. Two minutes from the break Foran was very lucky not to follow Murphy off the field when he was pulled up for offside and promptly smashed the ball into the net. Referee chose the lenient route and simply issued a warning. Steve Halliday on for an anonymous Ian Stevens was the only interval change. Things did improve a little but Shrewsbury were still far likelier to extend their advantage than United were to get back on terms. Two minutes in Michael Jack missed his kick, Woan shot and Lee Andrews cleared off the line. After 53 minutes a Matthew Redmile effort was also hacked off the line, this time by Jack himself. Luke Rodgers drilled wide for the home side and then Jonny Allan replaced Jack. Birch made a great tackle on Rodgers as the Cumbrians clung gamely on. On 71 minutes Tolley was through and saw his shot blocked. He recovered to find Lowe who shot against the post as the Cumbrians again had a life. United's under employed attack finally created a good chance with 11 minutes remaining. Allan got to the byeline and pulled back a cross that Foran headed well over when a goal was beckoning. Guinan showed great skill to turn two players and scoop over with six minutes left. Woan then struck the bar after Darren Moss and Guinan combined well. Into injury time McAughtrie laid on a chance for McGill but his deflected shot was gratefully grabbed by keeper Ian Dunbavin. Al's verdict: The first half could have seen us falling three or four goals behind. Thanks to Keen, we remained well in it although the sending off left us virtually bereft of attacking options. It's not been a great month for Murphy and this capped it. In the second period when Keen was beaten we were saved by goal-line clearances and the woodwork. After that it would have been a travesty if we'd got anything out of the game but we showed our mettle by hanging in there and Foran wasted a great chance late on. The season is over but the players are still battling away. |
