Danny Naisbitt was back in goal in place of Peter Keen with striker David Freeman making his debut after joining from Forest on a monthly deal yesterday. Richie Foran, despite a reported groin problem, was in the starting line-up. Scunthorpe called the tune early on with United under a spot of pressure. Brian Shelley made a good covering header inside the first minute and Naisbitt made two good grabs to deny Steve Torpey. United's first chance came on 11 minutes when Molloy swung in a free kick and Foran flicked a header narrowly wide. But the home team took just two more minutes to get the goal their early play deserved. Martin Carruthers put in a cross, Naisbitt was caught out of his goal and Torpey had an easy task to tap home from four yards. Andy Dawson then forced a save out of Naisbitt. From the resulting corner Carruthers headed goalwards and Lee Andrews cleared off the line to concede another corner kick. Somewhat against the run of play in the 24th minute a Freeman corner was met by Foran who buried his header in the back of the net. It was the Irish striker's first goal of the season and couldn't have come at a better time. It was the Cumbrians first league goal in over eight hours and sent their small contingent of travelling fans delirious. The home team then struck the bar from a free-kick taken by Dawson that Naisbitt appeared to tip over. However the referee Ray Oliver gave a goal kick. Stephen Wright delivered a dangerous far post cross to Carruthers who failed to keep his header down, giving Carlisle a let-off. Scunthorpe started the second half by hitting the left hand post with a shot by Scott Brough. Sparrow made a meal of the follow-up. McGill then crossed, the ball was half-cleared to Foran who fired wide. Naisbitt pulled off a top save to keep United level when Sparrow went through. Sparrow then got in with a better chance and hoofed over the bar after Lee Andrews failed to make a tackle. The Iron kept the pressure on and Brough headed just wide from a position just by the penalty spot. United got a bit of respite when Marc Nixon, brought on as a sub and forced a tip away from Tom Evans. Torpey and Carruthers then combined well and Carruthers lifted the ball over Naisbitt as he came out. Within minutes it was 3-1 as Brough headed across and Torpey broke away to beat Naisbitt with ease. Two hammer blows that sealed Carlisle's fate. The game turned a bit ugly as Shelley went down injured and Whitehead got involved in a fracas. Whitehead escaped with a booking but United's evening had gone decidedly flat. Nixon was denied by Evans who came out rapidly to take the ball. It was the last action of another disastrous outing for the struggling Cumbrians. Al's verdict: Another soul-destroying game. The Foran goal was a massive boost and should have been the springboard to a point but instead we reverted to bad habits and the home team took charge and deservedly claimed the points. Our line-up is unsettled, unbalanced and lacking in confidence. It really does put the pressure on for the bottom-of-the-table clash with Boston. A match we sorely need to win. |
