With four absentees due to injury, Roddy Collins was forced to field an inexperienced midfield with Michael Jack, Jonny Allan and Will McDonagh alongside Tony Hopper. The Cumbrians had what looked to be their biggest travelling support of the season with well over 1,000 packed into the away end at the Shay. For two sides who had struggled most of the season, they produced some flowing football in the first half with the standard of passing very high, especially from the home team. Craig Midgeley tested Peter Keen within three minutes with a long-range shot. United's first attack brought them a free kick on the edge of the box when Richie Foran was brought down. Town blocked McDonagh's attempted shot and the officials blew up for offside. A pacy home attack saw Ian Fitzpatrick turning effectively to bring another save out of Keen. Foran and Fitzpatrick clashed in front of the referee Roy Pearson who booked them both. The opening goal came on 23 minutes, defender Andrew Woodward scoring after good set-up play by Bushell. Allan and Stevens did well to set up Foran who brought a good save out of the 'fax keeper Barry Richardson. It was a sign of things to come - Allan feeding Foran who played the ball into Ian Stevens and his first time shot found the back of the net. McDonagh made a sharp break but was blatantly held back by Town's player-manager Neil Redfearn who received a yellow card. McDonagh's header put Foran through but a last-ditch tackle deprived him of a goal and conceded another corner. Carlisle were taking charge as the half came towards its end. Foran and Allan combined well at the start of the second half to give a chance to Michael Jack who unfortunately fired wide. United continued to look the better side with Lee Andrews making a long run and firing in an ambitious shot that was off-target. Fitzpatrick tested Keen with 'fax's first real foray of the half. It was against the run of play somehat when Redfearn headed the home side back in front in the 57th minute. A left wing cross caught United ball watching a little and Redfearn was unchallenged as he headed home past Keen. United tried to reassert themselves and Andrews went into the book for a late challenge. The goal lifted the home team. Steve Halliday came on for Allan as Roddy Collins made a tactical switch. Town went close to increasing their lead when a free-kick was flicked inches wide of the far post. United went close themselves when Murphy went on a good run and fired a shot very close to the upright. Town's Steve Bushell tried his luck from 35 yards but fired well over the bar. United went close again as McDonagh's touch from the top of his head forced another corner. Then Foran outjumped Richardson to win a header and the ball clipped the cross-bar before going out for a goal kick. With just seconds left and the pressure increasing, United grabbed an equaliser as Foran turned the ball in after a corner was not cleared. Al's verdict: Another dramatic finish although you've got to feel sorry for poor Halifax who were within seconds of three points that they desperately needed. However the result was a just one in the end. We looked increasingly the better side the longer the game went on after some shaky early moments. It was also a good advert for lower Third Division football, with neither side looking like a struggling side to be fair. Congratulations to everyone at Brunton Park for another successful battle against relegation. |
