Having created most of the pressure and missed the best chances, the Cumbrians were aghast when Anthony Shandran put the Minstermen ahead with a cracking strike on 74 minutes but they took just four minutes to equalise through a rare goal for Darren Kelly. United kicked off with Brian Wake partnering Craig Russell up front, unexpectedly preferred to top scorer Craig Farrell, who started on the bench. Jon McCarthy dropped out of midfield to be replaced by Will McDonagh. An attendance of 4,935, including a large contingent from York gathered for one of Carlisle's two games in hand. It was the visitors who had more of the territory early on, but clear-cut chances were not forthcoming. Ex-United star Darren Edmondson had the first goal attempt of the night inside the first 30 seconds but Matty Glennon made a good save. United, looking to get width into their game, looked to bring Adam Rundle into the action at every opportunity. York's offside trap caught Carlisle several times, resulting in frustration for a partisan home crowd who questioned the linesman's decisions. A Stuart Green free kick beat the City wall and brought a save low down from keeper Philip Whitehead, signed only this week on special dispensation from the Football League. Four minutes from half-time United received a blow when veteran Paul Raven had to limp out of the game, to be replaced by Lee Maddison. Early in the second half Wake blew United's best opening, being put through down the right channel and drawing out Whitehead who made the save when Wake should have put Carlisle one-up. United began to dominate possession and forced a series of corners as the visitors came under heavy pressure for the first time. Mark Summerbell shot wide, but York rode out the storm. There was a clear warning for the home side a few minutes before the breakthrough arrived when Lee Nogan was put in and Matty Glennon raced off his line to make a fine block. But York shocked the home crowd with a stunning goal on 74 minutes. Shandran firing in a right-footed snorter into the top left corner past the despairing arm of Glennon. Carlisle came back quickly and forced a corner. The ball came to Rundle who put in a far post cross. Kelly's header was blocked but he followed up to force home the rebound. Both teams had chances to win towards the finish, Graham Potter shooting over for York following a booking on Lee Bullock who scythed down Ryan Baldacchino as he was streaking down the right hand touchline. Al's verdict: Probably a fair result to a very good game that had a terrific atmosphere with the best support for United this season from their home fans. I thought we had York under a lot of pressure without showing much confidence in front of goal and we clearly missed Foran at times. But York got off the hook and scored a great goal that earlier this season would have been the match-winner. The present United team are much harder to beat and the Kelly equaliser came at the right time, setting up a tense finish. With most of our relegation rivals stumbling, we've got a good chance of escaping now, but with five tough fixtures coming up, we may have to do it a point at a time, starting with the visit of promotion certainties Rushden on Saturday. Should be another good game. |
