Roddy Collins gave a debut in goal to Danny Naisbutt and persisted with the striking partnership of Brian Wake and Marc Nixon up front. Trevor Molloy coming back into the side but on the right-hand side of midfield. The young Blues started promisingly with Brendan McGill prominent. On 20 minutes Brian Wake slipped into the penalty area and fell to the gound, but the referee turned down appeals. Rotherham immediately went upfield and Chris Swailes tested Naisbitt who turned the ball aside for a corner. Andy Monkhouse attempted an ambitious chip from distance that comfortably cleared the bar. The visitors were playing the passing football with Mick Galloway at the heart of the better moves. There was still no end product but the Cumbrians were gaining confidence with good passing and movement. On 37 minutes Nick Dawes found Steve Sedgwick whose header came off Stuart Whitehead and went uncomfortably close to Naisbitt's goal. Swailes again tested Naisbitt when he got up well from a corner but headed straight at the keeper. Molloy fired just wide of the top corner from a set-piece as United attempted to surprise the Millers' wall with a quickly taken kick. The home team wasted a great chance in injury time as Mark Robins got the better off Darren Kelly but fired over the bar with Naisbitt off the line. The second half started very well for the home team who took the lead five minutes in. Andy Monkhouse collected the ball on the edge of the box and advanced on goal before beating Naisbitt with a left-foot cross shot into the corner of the net. The goal fired up Rotherham who went close again when Richie Barker fired narrowly wide. A great Mark Birch clearing header also prevented a goal on 58 minutes. On 62 minutes midfielder John Mullin could have made it 2-0 but pulled his shot wide of the left hand upright. A two-goal cushion was eventually established on 67 minutes when a cross to the far post was headed back firmly but Naisbitt pulled off a great save. Unfortunately the rebound fell to veteran goalpoacher Robins who snaffled the chance. Michael Jack came on for Galloway. A clever Robins chip brought a fingertip away from Naisbitt for a corner. Lee Andrews came on for Kelly. Nixon fired in a shot that went over the cross-bar. Then with eight minutes remaining McGill scored the goal of the night with a ripping 25-yarder that flew into the top left hand corner of the net. Dawes saw his low shot brilliantly saved by Naisbitt who was having a very good debut for the Cumbrians. Carlisle came close to an equaliser when a McGill cross found Wake but keeper Pollitt saved. Substitute Paul Warne took advantage of a mistake by Jack in injury time, getting away from his markers and firing in a shot that squirmed under Naisbitt's body - his only real error of the night. Al's verdict: A reasonable display by United but once again we lacked a real cutting edge until a late flurry which came a little too late to force extra-time. Defensively there were some great efforts by Naisbitt, Birch, Whitehead and Summerbell in particular but the front two got little change out of the home defence until McGill sparked them to life and put some respectability into the scoreline. Rotherham's forward play by contrast had more penetration and goals always seemed likely as the game wore on. Nevertheless, it's another game together and some of the passing and movement was very pleasing so it seems an understanding is being built. All we need is someone to score goals! |
