For the Cumbrians first visit to the new Reynolds Arena, Paul Simpson made no changes to the team who drew with Cambridge. Paul Raven was back after injury but had to be content with a place on the bench. The manager again resisted the temptation to pick himself. At least 1,000 United fans appeared to have made the journey over the Pennines on the A66. Gary Pearson found himself booked within two minutes of the start to concede a free kick in a promising position. Darlo managed to block. A long throw after 5 minutes proved Carlisle's undoing in one of the home side's first attacks, Barry Conlon getting behind the defence to score from a free header. Summerbell and Foran then worked a chance for McDonagh who drilled over but was pulled up for a foul. Amazingly 13 minutes in Conlon was left unmarked again to score a second from a free kick taken by Ryan Valentine. These were gifts to a man who thrives on such chances. Foran then made an opening for Summerbell who hit narrowly wide after some crisp football in the build-up. Chris Hughes so nearly made it three when he was put clean through but pulled his shot wide. Simpson rejigged things mid-way through the first half with a back three and Shelley pushed forward to become a wing back on the opposite side from Adam Rundle. A Glennon error almost cost another goal as he missed a cross and then dived at the feet of the onrushing forward to save a certain third. A rather late challenge from Darren Kelly brought a booking on 31 minutes. From the kick Clark Keltie fired a meaty shot wide of the post. A mistake by Darlo custodian Collett gave United a corner but the keeper redeemed his error with a good punch out. As the first half wound down both Foran and Billy received bookings, Billy for a spot of ill-advised back-chat. United needed a much improved second half to get back in the game. Simpson kept the same personnel. Darlington though came at Carlisle in a bid to extend their lead, Conlon just missing a cross as he strained to head home his hat-trick goal. Ashley Nicholls then got forward to drive in a shot that was expertly tipped over by the busy Glennon. The United travelling support got behind the team and were making much the geater noise as the match reached the hour mark. Rundle got a round of applause on 63 minutes when he got in a shot on target but Collett saved. Craig Russell replaced Farrell. Russell ran on to a pass from Andrews but Collett was alert and came out to claim. The Cumbrians, starting to get on top as the game moved into the last 20 minutes, forced a corner but Collett again was calm and caught the ball well. The dangerous looking Rundle was brought down to earn a free kick. McDonagh went off and Brian Wake came on. Clark shot narrowly wide as the home team pushed on again in an attempt to put the game away. Substitute Brendan McGill was then booked for diving, although it appeared his legs had been clipped from behind. Darlo missed a sitter with 5 minutes left when Conlon played David McGurk in he missed the target when he should have sewn it up comfortably. Almost immediately Wake was booked for a spot of argy-bargy in the centre circle. Amazingly Pearson was sent off in the closing seconds for a second bookable offence. But it came too late to help Carlisle. Al's verdict: There was very little comfort to draw from this. For such a big match, a six-pointer between two sides at the bottom, you'd expect a lot more from the players. Our usual disastrous first-half form returned to haunt us, this was the third game where we've conceded two goals inside the opening 20 minutes. As an attacking force we just weren't a threat and defensively we were all over the place at set pieces. If this is anything to go by, Simpson's reign could be very brief. |
