United were skippered by Chris Billy in the absence of injured Kevin Gray. Magno Vieira began up front after starting on the bench in midweek, with Andy Preece dropping to the sub's bench. The Minstermen were playing at home for the first time since ex-Fulham player Viv Busby took temporary charge after the sacking of Chris Brass. Brass, still in involved as a player, began for York with younster Ashcroft coming in for suspended Darren Dunning. The home team, struggling for form and short on confidence, made a strong start with Andy Bishop prominent, always willing to take on the United defence. Carlisle struggled to keep the ball in the opening 10 minutes or create anything at the York end of the pitch. Nogan headed on to Bishop whose shot was deflected wide of the post to give City a corner. On 18 minutes Peter Murphy appeared to elbow Paul Groves in the face and was sent off. Vieira made a firm run forward from the touchline and was hauled down by Staley, earning the York man a yellow. Brass then passed to Bishop who fired straight at Matty Glennon in the 30th minute. The impressive Bishop again tested Glennon when he made a sharp break and forced the United custodian into a tip away to concede another corner. Davies fired a relatively weak shot at Glennon as the Cumbrians continued to toil. Brendan McGill touched a header over the bar from Hawley's cross as United at last got an attempt in on goal. With half-time approaching, and Carlisle looking like they could survive until the interval, Lee Nogan got the final touch to put the Minstermen in front after Merris produced a cross-shot that eluded Glennon. Paul Simpson stormed off stern faced to the dressing room after comfortably the worst 45 minutes in United's season to date. Simpson might have been tempted into changes but it was Busby who had to switch things early in the second period when the dangerous Bishop went off to be replaced by Levent Yalcin. United continued to waste possession with aimless long balls. A dangerous Lumsdon free kick on 55 minutes so nearly found Hawley as Carlisle tried to rouse themselves. Vieira immediately fired well wide. Nogan outwitted McGill to put in a cross that Shelley did well to head out for a corner kick. Hawley's turn 3 minutes later brought a shot and a tip away from Stockdale in the home goal. Simpson made a switch as Kevin Henderson replaced Vieira. A Lumsdon shot was deflected away for another corner. United were starting to look more dangerous. Lumsdon's kick came off a York head to earn another set-piece. Billy won a header but the ball drifted wide of the right hand post. Hawley fired wide again as the Cumbrians continued to call the tune. But with United clawing their way back in the game a hammer blow was delivered when David Merris fended off McGill to tuck away the second goal following a flick on from Yalcin. Immediately another Lumsdon set-piece almost brought a goal as his kick flashed across the goal mouth. Carlos Roca replaced Shelley with 13 minutes remaining. Roca immediately made his presence felt with a great run to the bye-line as United kept trying hard to claw something back. The goal Carlisle desperately needed came with 85 minutes gone as Roca and Hawley combined with Hawley's shot parried and Henderson getting the ball over the line after a scramble. Staley shot inches wide as City tried to make the game safe. Law replaced Donovan for the home team. McGill robbed Ashcroft and fed Henderson who fluffed his shot as another chance presented itself. Al's verdict: Oh dear. A bit of a mini-crisis now for Simmo as Barnet go well clear at the top and we're without Murph for three games at an important stage of the season. We simply didn't play well enough to deserve anything from the game and York again have proved our bogey team. It's a shame that once again a big away following have nothing to cheer. Last time a crowd of this size followed us on our travels we lost at Rochdale last season. At least we showed some spirit in the second half and more Simmo substitutions making a difference with Roca causing them trouble and Hendo nipping in with a goal. With Murphy missing, Roca may have a big contribution to make down the left side. Simmo himself is not fit enough to return so the former Oldham youngster has a chance to make a big impression. |
