The Cumbrians gave debuts to Kevin Gray and Tom Cowan, signed during the week from Tranmere and Dundee respectively and for a long time in a match played in foul conditions, they looked to have the measure of their in-form visitors. But Dave Penney's side managed to adapt their game better to the howling winds and rain during the second half and capitalised on a rare slip at the back to break the deadlock through a long-time United nemesis, giant striker Leo Fortune-West. The wind got up in the hour before kick-off and Carlisle began playing into the teeth of it. However any advantage Rovers may have imagined they could eke out was mostly neutralised by a battling United display and the sheer difficulty of controlling the ball in such extreme conditions. It was United who came closest to making the breakthrough when player-manager Paul Simpson found some space on the left edge of the Donny box but screwed his left-footed effort wide of the far upright. There was controversy early on when Richie Foran, back in the starting line up after his four-game suspension, was fouled by John Doolan near the centre spot. Despite looking for every inch like a red card offence, referee Matthewson only booked the ex-Barnet and Mansfield stopper. It was still United looking the likelier side. Later in the half on-loan Stevie Schumacher nipped into a pocket inside the box but headed a bouncing cross over the bar. Cowan was fighting the wind down the left channel and having an effective debut. Under employed Matty Glennon was quickly off his line when required and when Rovers did threaten with a far post cross Greg Blundell was unable to get decent contact and bundled wide. The second half saw a lot more rain and the wind was now in United's favour. However neither Foran or partner Kevin Henderson were able to make much headway against a tall Donny back-line. Chris Billy found himself in the book after a diving challenge near the touchline. Carlisle's best chance of a breakthrough came when they won a free kick 35 yards out. Simpson's shot hit ex-United man Dave Morley who wasn't adjudged to be 10 yards back. He was carded and the kick marched forward to a spot approximately 25 yards out. Simpson again stepped up and his kick beat the wall but flew agonisingly wide of keeper Andy Warrington's far post. The breakthrough for the visitors came in the 67th minute. Defender Gray failed to make a challenge just inside the area and Fortune-West found himself in space 12 yards out and was able to drill home a left footed shot inside Glennon at his near post. Doncaster began to look gradually more comfortable and a slick move a few minutes later could have brought a second but Glennon got down well to parry McIndoe's shot and concede a corner. The Cumbrians gamely fought on to the finish, bringing on David Molloy and Craig Russell for Paul Arnison and Foran. Keeper Glennon sprinted up for a corner two minutes into added time. As the ball fell inside the box, Glennon almost got on the end of it, but Doncaster managed to clear it and United's last chance had gone. Al's verdict: The weather was the real winner in this match and for a long period it seemed neither team would be able to tame the ball long enough to put together a coherent move. Despite producing a battling performance, that was a clear improvement on most recent efforts, the ball still wouldn't run for us. The visitors eventually got a bit of a grip, once Fortune-West had put away his goal, but it was a tight game and the frustration amongst the home support was obvious. You have to feel for Simmo who had a good game himself and his revamped side looked definitely stronger but ultimately another defensive mistake proved crucual. A bigger worry must be the chronic lack of goals. One in the last five home games is just not good enough and the manager must be hoping to sign a forward this week. |
