So, two defeats in a row for Carlisle against mid-table opposition in recent weeks, at 4-3 Rochdale and then 1-0 at home against a useful looking Oldham side on Saturday has made what was hopefully a title challenge now look a lot more difficult with some tough looking fixtures on the horizon. Preston, the only other title-chasing side in action, now dropping United down to fourth in the table after they won easily, 4-0 at Accrington Stanley.
Carlisle now looking to get the train back on the tracks next Saturday morning when they face Port Vale at home in an 11am kick-off at Creighton Rugby Club, weather permitting. Away from divisional matters meanwhile it was the League Cup quarter-finals last weekend, with Stockport County now the only survivors left, after the exit of Burnley and Rochdale, from the north-west area, and even then the Hatters haven't made it through to the semis yet as their scheduled game at home to Hull was postponed.
Results in the division on Saturday 21st January
Accrington Stanley 0-4 Preston North End
Bury P-P Macclesfield Town
Carlisle United 0-1 Oldham Athletic (12noon)
Youth Alliance Cup - Quarter-Finals on Saturday 21st January
North
Doncaster Rovers 3-1 Chesterfield
Notts County 2-2 Burnley, Notts County won 6-5 on penalties
Rochdale 0-0 Hartlepool United, Hartlepool United won 3-2 on penalties
Stockport County P-P Hull City
South
Colchester United 4-1 Stevenage
Exeter City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers, Exeter City won 7-6 on penalties
Leyton Orient 1-2 Cheltenham Town
Millwall 2-2 Crawley Town, Millwall won 7-6 on penalties
Semi-Final draw - games to be played Saturday 18th February
North
Hartlepool United v Doncaster Rovers
Notts County v Stockport County or Hull City
South
Colchester United v Exeter City
Millwall v Cheltenham Town
Fixture in the division on Tuesday 24th January
Bury v Accrington Stanley (2pm)
Fixture in the division on Friday 27th January
Accrington Stanley v Wigan Athletic (2pm)
Fixtures in the division on Saturday 28th January
Blackpool v Wrexham
Carlisle United v Port Vale (11am)
Morecambe v Shrewsbury Town
Oldham Athletic v Stockport County
Preston North End v Tranmere Rovers
Rochdale v Walsall
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