United's caretaker boss Paul Simpson had to do without injured left winger Adam Rundle and drafted in Dessie Byrne. It was the first game on the touchlines for new assistant manager John Ward who agreed to replace the sacked John Cunningham earlier in the day. The Cobblers, managed by ex-Cumbrians supremo Martin Wilkinson, were hoping that their good home form would enable them to break a sequence of two straight defeats. They had won their previous three games at Sixfields without conceding a goal, a run that began with a 1-0 Carling Cup defeat of First Division Norwich City. There were few clear chances in the early exchanges. Brendan McGill got clear to put in a cross that cleared everybody. A mistake by Brian Shelley could have caused problems but Paul Raven cleaned up well. United's first corner came on 20 minutes. Foran got on the end of it but his header was straight at keeper Lee Harper. A darting cross into the Carlisle box eluded Martin Smith as he shaped to put the home team in front. Shelley did well to head out a Josh Low cross to concede a corner on 28 minutes. McGill tried to take advantage of a Cobblers slip up and shot wide in the 32nd minute when a pass to Foran might have been a better option. United were looking comfortable and playing more football than Town. The crowd booed as a Low free-kick rolled into Glennon's hands. Foran got on the end of a good cross in the final minute of the half to bring a good save out of Harper. A Simpson corner early in the second half ended with the ball put into the net but Foran was offside. Glennon tipped a cross onto Raven's forehead a minute or two later and the ball spun just wide of the target. Mark Richards put in a cross and Raven and Smith ended up in a heap inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, inexplicably. Smith stepped up to take the kick and just nipped it in past Glennon. United looked a bit deflated and for a while Northampton looked sharper. Soon Foran earned a free kick after being chopped down. Simpson's shot was deflected for a corner. The ball flashed across the box. Will McDonagh replaced Billy. A swerving shot from distance by ex-Fulham and Derby player Paul Trollope then made it 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining. It was a hammer blow for a Carlisle side who had looked the better side for long periods. Mark Summerbell entered the fray for a tired Kevin Henderson, still searching for full match fitness following his loan switch from Hartlepool. The Cumbrians tried to change things by throwing on Brian Wake but some of the fight had gone from them. It was a dispiriting night for the 301 travelling fans who had watched a good performance but with no reward on the night. Al's verdict: Defeat, but it sounds like we are gradually improving. Defensively we were solid and rarely pulled about by the home side. Neither team had scored many goals going into the match and I thought we looked capable of getting a goalless draw. Unfortunately a baffling refereeing decision changed the match. After that we needed a bit of inspiration and couldn't find it. Northampton will be a dour side doing just enough to win - this is what happened tonight. We have to scrap it out on these occasions and look to pick up something on our travels. Up to now we've not scored or taken a point in our four away games and this has to change, starting at struggling Southend on Saturday. |
