Darren Kelly was back in the centre of defence freeing up Peter Murphy to play on the left. Paul Simpson continued with 16-year-old David Molloy in a five-man midfield. Foran was up front on his own. Kidderminster welcomed back JJ Melligan on loan from Wolves who had scored 13 goals for them last season. United had the first shot inside the first two minutes. Peter Murphy set up Will McDonagh who shot into the side netting. Brian Shelley then set off on a fine run from the half-way line that ended when his shot was deflected into the hands of the keeper. Andrews did well to clear a JJ Melligan centre with his head to concede a corner. Andrews then made a mistake that let in Bo Henriksen but his shot was blocked as was the follow-up. The Cumbrians were fortunate when Henriksen fed Melligan and the resulting cross was just out of the reach of Andy Bishop. United wasted a glorious chance on 18 minutes when Foran robbed a defender and set up McDonagh who hoofed over from six yards when he should have hit the target at the very least. Two minutes later a Melligan shot was deflected off Kelly and forced Glennon to back peddle and tip over for a corner. Kelly raised his boot dangerously on 32 minutes and went into the book, the first player to receive a yellow. Foran collected a knock on his ankle and appeared to be in discomfort for a while. Late in the half McGill latched on to an error to get in a shot but keeper Stuart Brock made a comfortable save. The teams went in at half-time with no scoring. Harriers had a scare in the first minute when Brock averted an own goal by Scott Stamps by making a last-gasp touch on to the cross-bar and grabbing the rebound. Adam Willis then went into the book for a rather cynical foul on Richie Foran. The breakthrough arrived for the Kiddy on 58 minutes when Bishop rose above Shelley to head home past Glennon into the top left corner. United's response was pretty swift when Peter Murphy drilled in a cracking left foot drive from over 20 yards, beating Brock at his near post. Two goals in five minutes. Melligan again looked dangerous when he fired inches over the bar two minutes later. Sam Shilton then delivered a cross that Henriksen was stretching to reach but failed to make contact as Kelly challenged. Murphy's lovely floated free kick found Foran no more than 3 yards out and unmarked and somehow the Irishman missed. Foran vented his frustration as he failed to add to his three goals this season. Melligan responded by beating Murphy and forcing a save out of Glennon. A Danny Williams free kick was cleared off the line by Foran as United scrambled to defend the point that was in the bag. Another free kick conceded when within 30 seconds saw Williams do better, firing in off the defensive wall to leave Glennon helpless. It was a massive blow for Carlisle who paid dearly for committing successive fouls just outside the box. Adam Rundle came on for Molloy with five minutes remaining. Wake replaced Byrne. The closing seconds brought a bit of Carlisle pressure but the ball wouldn't run for them and the final whistle brought more misery for United's travelling army. Al's verdict: Oh dear. In four bottom of the table clashes we have now managed just one point. This was another crucial match and the result leaves us five points adrift of safety. It was a familiar tale of United unable to score from two great opportunities for McDonagh and Foran. Murphy's strike was perfectly timed, allowing us back into the game after a bit of slack play cost us the opener. Foran's miss was the turning point, allowing the home side to ride their luck and then a slightly flukey free kick gave them the points. When your luck's out, it's really out. And it's Hull away next. Bottom until Christmas and perhaps beyond? |
