Roddy Collins sprang a surprise by leaving Leon Osman on the bench, a move believed to signal an imminent return to Everton, who he has been on loan from for the past two months. But Richie Foran, after a vote of confidence from his manager in the week, was very much in the starting line-up and no doubt very keen to prove a point to his growing army of detractors. Jon McCarthy was recalled to the midfield. Rushden had the first chance in the 4th minute when Paul Hall crossed and Onandi Lowe rose above Darren Kelly to head over the bar. A couple of minutes later a thunderous 30-yard free kick from the same player took a deflection and cannoned back off the cross bar, ending up in the grateful arms of Matt Glennon. On 12 minutes very much against the run of the early play, McCarthy fed Farrell who buried the chance to give the Cumbrians a shock lead. Alas, the joy was shortlived, as Lowe levelled up in the 16th minute. A right-wing cross was met by the tall striker who managed to get the better of Brian Shelley and pop it home. Lowe was again the dangerman on 24 minutes when his slightly deflected shot went wide of the upright to earn a corner. A pass from Hall and another deflected shot from David Bell brought another corner a few minutes later as the home team continued to call the tune. Carlisle made a rare foray upfield and a Murphy volley that took a big deflection off Foran forced Adam Sollitt into a good reflex save. Within moments Lowe flattened McCarthy who lay face down on the ground but it appeared to be an accidental collision. Duffy had a chance to extend the home side's lead when he worked his way past Murphy but mis-hit his shot wide of the target, much to his disgust. The Cumbrians began to get more of a grip and a good run and cross by Foran at the end of the half almost brought reward but nobody was on the end of it. Carlisle began the second half with a promising move in which Lee Maddison and Farrell worked a one-two but the left back spooned the ball over. Lowe again showed his aerial threat when he flicked a header narrowly wide of the right hand post after a near-post cross on 51 minutes. Summerbell made a great saving tackle to rob Duffy who was clear through on goal. Will McDonagh replaced McCarthy. Glennon made a great save from Lowe as United again came under heavy pressure. Osman then entered the fray in place of Brendan McGill. Adam Sollitt in the home goal fell heavily after a clash with Osman and injured his shoulder. A stretcher came out and took him from the field. He was replaced by substitute keeper Billy Turley. If anything this incident gave the visitors heart as they put a bit of pressure on but a series of set pieces failed to create a clear-cut chance. Collins completed his reshuffle six minutes from the end as Ryan Baldacchino came on. Within moments a Summerbell shot was half blocked and fell at the feet of Farrell who should have scored but didn't. With three players up front, United were pushing for a late clincher. In injury time Glennon palmed out a cross and then made a great follow-up save. The ball ran out to Lowe who had the chance to seal it but managed to miss the target with a goal beckoning. Al's verdict: A great result considering the home team's record but it might have been three points with a bit of luck. Hopefully we won't come to rue Farrell's miss because every point is going to be vital. It seemed Collins had more than an eye on a point with his rather cautious starting line-up, but as the game went on, the introduction of Baldacchino and Osman and finishing the game with 3 up front showed how we had gained the upper hand. Having won at Kidderminster and now this very good point, the only mystery remains why we can't turn it on at home. |
