With indiscipline a constant problem this year for the Cumbrians, Foran's latest misdemeanour couldn't have come at a worse time. Carlisle had to do without player of the month Peter Murphy and Lee Maddison through suspension for this match. Dessie Byrne came back to replace Maddison, although he was only just fit enough to start. Mark Hudson, on loan from Middlesbrough made his debut in midfield. United's first assault on goal brought the opening goal. Foran took a pass from Hudson on the edge of the box and advanced cleverly to clip the ball past the onrushing keeper Whitfield. The ecstatic striker removed several layers of apparel as he did a celebratory lap of the ground pursued by most of his team-mates. For a while it was United calling the tune and Mark Hudson drilled in a left footed effort that brought a save out of the keeper. An ambitious Byrne free kick just floated over the top after clearing the defensive wall. Wrexham took a while to get going but when they did they looked dangerous. Lee Trundle brought a point blank save out of Matty Glennon who got down well at his near post. But the warning shot was not heeded by Carlisle who gave the ball away in their own half and Jones fired in a low shot that took a deflection off Michael Taylor and skidded into the bottom corner past a despairing Glennon. United were so close to going a goal down at the very start of the second half. Byrne's error on the left side of the area was not ultimately punished by Carlos Edwards as he fired home from close range after a partial block by Glennon. Edwards was flagged offside. Ragged defensive play was to be a feature of the match for the home side. Stephen Thomas later wasted a chance when he fired inches wide after a cross reached him on the far side of the area. Carlisle had a shout for a penalty when they appeared to be hand ball inside the box but nothing was given. Byrne was visibly tiring and was replaced by Mark Birch while Sam entered the fray for the visitors, the speedy winger having looked dangerous during the LDV Trophy match earlier in the week. Alas it was Sam who turned out to be the match winner just two minutes from the end of normal time. The pacy replacement took a pass from Jones and outsprinted the defence to fire across Glennon into the left corner of the goal. Off came his shirt and unlike Foran before him, he was booked. But there was worse to come. Foran missed a clear chance to level with his left foot as the game moved into added time. In injury time itself Foran lashed out while the ball was just inside the Wrexham half and was immediately ordered off, a straight red. He had earlier collected a daft booking and his future at the club must now be in some doubt. Al's verdict: A match that started excellently but got steadily worse and ended in disaster and disgrace. Sad to say our defensive frailties returned with avengence. There was only really one winner in the second half, Wrexham always looking the more likely. They used their wide players more effectively than us and it was Mr Sam who got the winner, after United had really shot their bolt. Foran's conduct was appalling and coming after a schizophrenic display against the same side in midweek, he probably needs some time on the sidelines for the manager to sort him out, either that or put him on the transfer list and cash in on him, if indeed anyone wants him after watching him today. |
