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Carlisle travel to Sussex tomorrow on the back of a reasonable record at the Goldstone Ground and Withdean Stadium over the years. United having won four and drawn two of their 13 games played away to Brighton.
Last season in League One, in November 2007, the two sides drew 2-2 after the Blues had twice taken the lead in front of 5,390 spectators. Simon Hackney on 34 minutes and Joe Garner after 53 having their goals cancelled out by a Nicky Forster brace on 47 and 84 minutes, that late leveller despite Brighton's George O'Callaghan being sent off for a stamp on Garner midway through the second half.
Three of Carlisle's four wins on Sussex soil have been 3-1 victories. United winning by that scoreline in 1998-99 - goals from Scott Dobie, Steve Finney and Scott Paterson (attendance 4,163), and in the 1996-97 promotion season - goals from Stephane Pounewatchy, Warren Aspinall and Allan Smart (attendance 4,155).
The other 3-1 victory came in another Division Four promotion campaign, in 1963-64, as United went up alongside local rivals Workington, the goals on that last day of the season coming from a Johnny Evans brace and Hugh McIlmoyle (attendance 8,773).
United's fourth and final win coming two seasons ago when the Blues won 2-1 in a League One match on a soaking wet Saturday afternoon in late December 2006. Brighton taking the lead through Joe Gatting in the 37th minute in front of 5,436 spectators at the Withdean Stadium.
United fought back strongly after the break though with Zigor Aranalde equalising from the rebound on 56 minutes after Karl Hawley's header had come back off the underside of the Albion crossbar. Neale McDermott then grabbing a late winner for the Blues in the 82nd minute when he thumped the ball home following Wayne Henderson's save from Hawley's penalty.
Brighton's biggest margin of victory over the Blues came just over 20 years ago at the old Goldstone Ground in the 1985-86 Second Division "Jim Tolmie" relegation campaign that saw the Blues fall through the trapdoor along with now Premiership clubs Middlesbrough and Fulham.
In front of 8,608 spectators United found themselves 2-0 down at half-time only to ship another four goals in the second period, a solitary consolation strike from Rob Wakenshaw leaving the final scoreline at a gruesome 6-1 to the Seagulls.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
| Recent encounters between the teams | |||||
| 2008/2009 | Sat 15 Nov | Carlisle | 3 - 1 | Brighton & HA | LGE1 |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 08 Mar | Carlisle | 2 - 0 | Brighton & HA | LGE1 |
| 2007/2008 | Sat 24 Nov | Brighton & HA | 2 - 2 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2006/2007 | Sat 30 Dec | Brighton & HA | 1 - 2 | Carlisle | LGE1 |
| 2006/2007 | Sat 23 Sep | Carlisle | 3 - 1 | Brighton & HA | LGE1 |
| 2000/2001 | Sat 21 Apr | Carlisle | 0 - 0 | Brighton & HA | LGE2 |
| 2000/2001 | Sat 04 Nov | Brighton & HA | 4 - 1 | Carlisle | LGE2 |
Recent respective form guides
Brighton's dreadful recent home form has resulted in just one victory and one draw from their last six played matches played at the Withdean Stadium. While the Seagulls have scored seven goals in those games, a worringly large 13 have been leaked at the other end.
Carlisle's away form is none too clever either though, collecting one win and three draws from their last six matches contested on the road. The Cumbrians have scored six goals in these games, but have conceded an alarming eight.
Brighton are hovering perilously just above the relegation zone, with 28 points gained from 28 matches played. Carlisle meanwhile find themselves struggling as well, down in 17th position in the League One table having picked up 33 points from their 29 matches contested.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
| Last six games form guide | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
| Brighton & HA | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Carlisle | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 8 |
FootyMad's prediction ...
Nothing appears to be going right for the Cumbrians out on the road recently, yet the Madmen can see a turn around in fortunes as they battle to a victory in a closely fought contest at Brighton..... Away win
| Sequence statistics | |
| Brighton & HA | No sequences of note. |
| Carlisle | No win in the four most recent games. Not won in previous two away matches. |