The result at a windy and almost wintry Brunton Park was the first loss Carlisle have suffered in eight games. The relegation-threatened Gloucestershire outfit pulled out all the stops to claim a deserved victory as United failed to spark in front of 4,640 disgruntled spectators. Conditions were difficult from the off with a cold wind blowing across the field but the pitch conditions were again excellent. Karl Hawley had the first attempt in the sixth minute but blasted wide of the near post when a curled shot to the opposite corner would have had more chance of success. United were struggling to impose themselves but they had another opportunity when Adam Murray shot wide on 15 minutes. 22 minutes in Peter Murphy's free kick brought a good tip over the bar from keeper Dean Williams. Five minutes later Derek Holmes tried his luck to no avail with a cross-shot as United continued to splutter. Ex-Carlisle player Damon Searle alongside last season's one-game wonder Paul Warhurst were proving a tough pair to crack with little or no width to the United attack. Right on half time Hawley brought a save out of Williams with a 20 yard effort. Half-time brought no score and no real cheer for the windswept supporters. Forest Green had done little real attacking but their controlled play and passing movements were keeping United in check. Two corners early in the second half tested the visitors but the impressive Warhurst dealt with the second of them to keep United out. Matt Gadsby fouled Hawley and Lumsdon's free kick was cleared by Darren Davies. Hawley fired well wide from distance when a pass might have been a better bet. Glenn Murray and Magno Vieira came on for Holmes and Hawley. Then on 61 minutes came the only goal. Gadsby's corner hung in the air and Glennon and Gray failed to deal with it. The ball came out invitingly for Searle who stabbed it into the bottom corner with his left foot. Paul Simpson brought on Simon Hackney for Tom Cowan to add more width and attacking spice. The youngster failed to get into the game and United, lacking any cohesion in their play, failed to pass the ball at all. With nine minutes to go Davies tried his luck from distance, the ball going over the bar. Four minutes of stoppage time were added, but even a belated spell of pressure brought no real chances and the final whistle brought jeers and abuse from departing fans. Al's verdict: Despite this very poor display, the table still shows us second, but the gaps have closed up considerably again. Suddenly qualifying for the play offs doesn't look so straightforward. Most people had this down as a cast-iron home banker. We now desperately need to put York to the sword on Tuesday night to maintain our second spot and keep the pack at bay. The trip to Barnet now looks like being crucial. Let's hope they've relaxed after clinching the title today. We just didn't play today, everybody was below par and we never looked convincing. Forest Green really looked solid, which is amazing for a team who were well adrift at one stage. Just like us last season, they haven't given up hope and are playing with spirit. Unfortunately we didn't show the same conviction. Simmo needs to bang a few heads together before Tuesday. |
