Carlisle United 1 Barnet 3

Last updated : 13 August 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Two disastrous defensive slips cost Carlisle dear as Barnet ran out winners to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

On a perfect August afternoon it was the home side who made the breakthrough midway through the first half.

Adam Murray's corner was glanced in at the near post by defender Danny Livesey to give Carlisle the lead against the run of play and within three minutes the win should have been sealed.

Karl Hawley held the ball up on the six yard line and laid off to Derek Holmes, the big Scotsman crashed his shot over the bar when another goal seemed certain.

Barnet's technical superiority paid dividends in the second half and within five minutes of the restart they were level through Giuliano Grazioli.

Nicky Bailey's cross should have been easily caught by Carlisle keeper Anthony Williams, but he slipped only to see the ball drift over him and Grazioli, last season's conference top scorer, nodded in from close range.

With the Bees now running the show, Carlisle's mistakes were becoming regular with Kevin Gray and Livesey in particular struggling to get to grips with their opponents.

In the 57th minute the Cumbrians should have had a penalty after Hawley was cruelly bundled over in the box, but referee Eddie Ilderton waved play on, allowing Barnet to storm downfield and score.

This time it was Livesey at fault when he slipped giving Bailey the chance to lash the ball in from 12 yards.

Barnet's crisp passing game was now in top gear and Grazioli, with a clear chance following another Livesey mistake, clipped a beautiful lob over Williams only to see it land on top of the net.

Dean Sinclair wrapped up the points for Paul Fairclough's men in injury time with a breathtaking 50-yard run.

With Carlisle pushing forward for an equaliser Sinclair picked the ball up in his own half, danced past Paul Arnison and Zigor Aranalde, before calmly slotting home to give the away fans plenty to smile about on their long trip home.