Although Darlo's big name signing Faustino Asprilla had not received a work permit in order to make his debut, he was on parade before the kick-off, which was put back by 20 minutes because of an accident on the A66. United failed to sell all their tickets but still brought an estimated 1,500 fans with them. Darlo's Craig Liddle had the first attempt on goal but his header went over from a free kick. On 5 minutes Phil Hadland fired in a shot just wide of the right-hand post. Carlisle were getting into their stride too forcing a corner and then getting Mark Birch down the right with a good cross that was cleared at the near post. Carlisle defended with composure. When Barry Conlon had a good opening inside the box, Birch and Whitehead combined superbly to thwart him. Stuffy officiating struck again on 23 minutes when what looked like a fair tackle by Birch was punished with a yellow card. Trevor Molloy had Carlisle's best opening on 29 minutes when he slipped inside two players and fired inches wide of the left post. Conlon produced a sharp turn on his chest and instant shot that Keen saved well. Brendan McGill went up the other end and fired in a shot himself that Collett saved comfortably in the home goal. Hadland then entered referee Webb's notebook after diving theatrically inside the box following a challenge from Birch. Darlo gained a penalty kick five minutes from half-time when Betts headed down and the ball struck Birch who had little chance to get out of the way. Ian Clark stepped up, struck the ball well to Peter Keen's left and the keeper made a brilliant save. It was the third penalty in a row that United's opponents had failed to put away. Unfortunately a few United fans got on the pitch to celebrate and were thrown out of the ground for their sins. McDonagh put in an overhead kick that almost found Foran with Collett pushing the ball away for a corner. Darlington kept a bit of pressure on and Mark Ford fired narrowly over after an elaborate looking corner kick routine. Roddy Collins sprang a bit of a surprise at half-time with £100,000 signing Darren Kelly coming on for Lee Andrews. Ian Clark had a sparkling start to the half with two dangerous raids down the left that United managed to deal with. McGill collided with a linesman as he chased a pass and pushed the unlucky official out of the way, much to the amusement of the travelling fans. Foran then fired in a shot that was deflected for another Carlisle corner. He collected a knock and received treatment from Neil Dalton. 11 minutes into the second half substitute Glenn Naylor made the breakthrough when a through ball caught out Whitehead who allowed it over his head and Naylor ran on to round Keen and open the scoring. Ryan Valentine upended McGill immediately to concede a free kick and collect a yellow. Brian Wake came on for John Burns to make it three forwards as Collins chose to gamble. Carlisle were looking to press but the service to the forwards was a bit lacking. Clark, who had been a major influence in the second half was well tackled by Birch when he again got inside the United box. Another name was added to the book of Mr Webb when Liddle brought down Wake. A swift substitution allowed Galloway on for Summerbell but Murphy was keen to take the free-kick. The ball was deflected away for a corner. Galloway's kick was good but Molloy flicked over the bar. Molloy went on a run to the edge of the box, Ashley Nicholls took him down and got another booking. Galloway's kick went straight into the wall. United were caught cold in the 80th minute when a McDonagh square pass was intercepted, Kelly was left with a 2-on-1 situation as Valentine fed Naylor who side footed home the second and clinching goal. United were soon up the other end to try and force a goal but again it was Naylor who came so close to grabbing a hat-trick when dangerman Clark crossed, Conlon nodded back and Naylor fired over when the goal was gaping. Valentine produced a good run and shot that brought another save out of Keen. Weather: Warm/ Att: 5,163 Al's verdict: No complaints. Darlo turned the screw in the second half and deserved their win because their forwards got the better chances and the substitutions by Tommy Taylor worked altogether better than those made by Roddy Collins. It wasn't immediately obvious why Lee Andrews went off to be replaced by debut boy Kelly as this broke up a partnership that hadn't conceded a goal in three and a half matches. The first half was even-stevens and United looked comfortable enough. However our strikers are not really hitting it off, with Foran struggling for form. This isn't good news with three players due to be suspended on Saturday and another two in Maddison and Baldacchino still out through injury. Well nobody said it was going to be easy... |
