The result kept Town out of the top three and lifted the Cumbrians to within five points of Macclesfield and nine points of safety. The only goal came from debut boy Peter Duffield, who had been signed on loan from Boston United earlier in the day. Paul Simpson missed out with a knee injury, so the player-manager juggled things around, switching to 4-3-3 with Preece, Farrell and Duffield up front and Peter Murphy dropping back to central defence in place of Lee Andrews. Will McDonagh came into midfield alongside Chris Billy. Carlisle settled early on and made most of the running in the first half. However Huddersfield had an early chance when Andy Booth shot from 18 yards and Matty Glennon tipped around the post. Farrell then tested Paul Rachubka in the Terriers' goal but the keeper made a solid stop. The best chance fell to United on 21 minutes when McDonagh hooked over the bar from 10 yards out when he had a glorious opening. Carlisle had to make do without Kevin Gray for a short spell as he went off to have stitches in a head wound. Although Town forced a corner it was the 10 men who had come closest through McDonagh's effort during his time off the field. Duffield had a long range effort well held by Rachubka as the home team continued to look the more dangerous. Ex-United man Anthony Carrs and Farrell then went close in quick succession as the game warmed up. Murphy's free kick was deflected out to full back Tom Cowan who drove over the cross-bar. McDonagh was booked early in the second half for a foul on Andy Booth. Then Billy crossed from the left and Preece fired wide from 18 yards out. Glennon kept United on terms with a superb point-blank reaction save from Booth when the Town striker turned and shot from eight yards. The hard working Brendan McGill delivered a lovely cross from the right byline and found the head of Duffield at the near post but Rachubka's positioning was excellent and he held the ball well. Later Cowan found the head of the debutant again but this time his effort was off target. The breakthrough arrived in the 71st minute. Preece made himself available down the left and delivered a harmless looking cross. Rachubka took his eye off the bouncing ball and failed to gather it. Duffield steamed in to stroke home from 4 yards out and put the bottom side a goal to the good. Huddersfield now had to pour forward but Carlisle's defensive line held firm. Carss managed a shot but missed the target comfortably. Preece seemed to make a fair challenge on Worthington but the ref awarded a free kick 40 yards out then marched it forward for dissent by Preece who was also booked. The kick was cleared and that was the visitors last real chance to get back on terms. Al's verdict: Excellent stuff from the Cumbrians and great to see a rare clean sheet after the defensive slip ups on Saturday. The Terriers were disappointing for a team on such a great run. Nevertheless we contested every ball and Billy, McGill, Gray and Glennon in particular were excellent. Duffield also appears to be an excellent acquisition with an eye for goal and after a slow start, he got into the game a lot more in the second half. We're going to have get the bulk of our points at Brunton Park and with five wins and two draws in the last seven home games, we could still wriggle out of this one. We need to keep winning, starting with Oxford on Saturday. Should be another good game. |
