The result halted Carlisle's climb away from the bottom and still leaves them in a bit of trouble, although relegation rivals Swansea and York both lost also. It was bitter disappointment for a season's best gate of 5,226, far too many of whom decided to leave as soon as Darlo scored their third goal. Despite hints of an injury crisis, not for the first time this season all the walking wounded miraculously healed in time and Peter Keen, Peter Murphy and Richie Foran all started the match, as did Ian Stevens, who shrugged off a hamstring strain. Missing Steve Soley in midfield due to suspension, Carlisle failed to get off to their customary storming start and Darlo shocked them with a goal inside two minutes. Mark Ford striking a very low, clean shot through a crowd of players and just inside the far post to beat Keen. United's response was impressive as they began to force Tommy Taylor's side back, but they were still kept at distance by some solid defensive work. On 19 minutes Mark Winstanley was left in space at the far post and his header looped just wide of the opposite upright. Stu Green sent a shot whistling towards the top corner but Darlo keeper Keith Finch made an excellent save, tipping the ball over for a corner. United continued to press but they saw another effort, a quick turn and left foot shot by Murphy well claimed by Finch. It looked like they were going to go in at the break a goal behind but their efforts paid off in the last minute of the half when Winstanley was adjudged to have been tugged back inside the box and Richie Foran converted the kick to claim his 12th goal of the season. Darlo weren't at all happy at the decision and Ford was booked. Whatever Taylor said to his players at the interval seemed to work because they came out for the second half a renewed team and they began to take the game to the Cumbrians. Barry Conlon had a penalty appeal turned down after his shot was charged down inside the box. Seven minutes into the half they went ahead. Ian Clark was allowed room to turn inside the box and he beat Keen at his near post with a sharp finish. Roddy Collins was not happy and you couldn't blame him. United couldn't find the finishing touches to some good approach work and the state of the pitch on this occasion didn't seem to favour their passing game. Darlo were more rugged and often looked more effective in the conditions. After a fracas in midfield, Green went into the book. The game became increasingly niggly. Almost every foul was followed by a bit of afters. It was unnecessary and for a while it looked odds-on somebody might be sent off but referee Webb simply continued to show yellows and issue strict lectures. Any chance United had of getting back into it disappeared eight minutes from time when veteran Craig Liddle was allowed too much space in the box and converted a simple header from a floated free kick to make the game safe. Carlisle did rally a bit and Murphy capped a good move with a left foot shot across goal that should have been on target. A minute or so later Halliday shuffled into some space and turned a shot on to the post with his back to goal. It wasn't going to be Carlisle's night and the poisoned chalice of Manager of the Month had once again done it's worst. Al's verdict: All good runs come to an end and this was no exception. Although we showed much of our usual good passing form, Darlo mastered the conditions the better and you have to pay tribute to their defending which was ultimately a lot better than ours. Poor concentration led to their two second half goals, which were decisive. Halliday for Stevens did us no favours. Halli as usual taking the ball down too many blind alleys. Foran didn't see much of the ball and although Andrews got forward quite well, he didn't have the best of nights defensively. There was an even a doubt or two about Keeno's fitness, seeing as he couldn't take goal kicks. Suddenly we've got a few problems on our hands again. |
