But the game once again saw an early bath for a home player as Mark Summerbell walked in the second half for a second bookable offence, both challenges being a little late on the greasy surface. The result means United miss out on a money-spinning Third Round tie against Leeds United and their under-pressure manager Terry Venables. With chaos at the ticket portakabins before kick-off, some of the 6,800-strong crowd were late getting in, but the action didn't hot up until well into the opening period as the home team went extremely close with a long range Darren Kelly free kick being tipped over at full stretch by Iron custodian Tom Evans. The visitors caught United cold in the 26th minute when the Cumbrians were ball-watching at a free kick awarded after a foul by Summerbell which earned him his first yellow. The ball was played into space by Ian Kilford inside the area for the advancing Martin Carruthers to take on and slip across the exposed Matty Glennon into the opposite corner. Full marks to Scunny for innovation, although that particular free kick routine has been seen before several times and Roddy Collins would not have been happy at being caught napping. Another free kick so nearly saw the home side claw level when Peter Murphy's terrific long distance strike came back off the cross-bar with Evans a beaten man. Despite their best endeavours, United had failed to create anything much down the flanks and set pieces always looked the best way either side would score. The second period saw Carlisle increase the pressure, bringing on the lively Brian Wake for Paul Robinson and Ryan Baldacchino for Lee Maddison. Wake looked impressive and almost brought the equaliser the big home attendance wanted when he flicked his header from a deep Kelly cross towards goal but the back pedalling Evans tipped it over. Summerbell then went in a fraction late on Wayne Graves although to some in the crowd it looked like six and two threes. The referee had other ideas and waved a red at Summerbell, the midfielder's second ordering off of the season and the club's seventh in total. Carlisle, roared on by the crowd, pushed forward regardless and Kelly nearly got on the end of a Murphy shot that flashed across goal. United won a free kick in a very promising position on the edge of the box but a packed Scunny wall blocked Murphy's attempt and the danger passed. The Iron had been content to sit back and soak up pressure but they broke out in the first minute of injury time and should have sewed it all up but Alex Calvo-Garcia clipped the ball over Glennon and wide of the right hand upright when put clean through. Carlisle pushed virtually everyone up with the exception of Glennon but despite plenty of possession they didn't create a clear cut chance. Scunthorpe defended resolutely and gave their small band of 155 travelling supporters something to celebrate. Al's verdict: A huge disappointment as it would have been great to have a crack at Leeds but in the final analysis, we lacked the guile to break down Scunthorpe. The first goal was all important and the visitors claimed it when United, not for the first time this season, were caught half asleep on a set piece. After that we were mostly reduced to long distance efforts although Murphy was certainly a bit unlucky with his free kick. We kept the pressure up as best we could in the second half, especially after losing Summerbell but we didn't really test their keeper enough and you have to give full marks to the visitors for defending solidly. |
