The Cumbrians brought a sizeable following with them despite the defeat suffered at Scunthorpe earlier in the season and the lack of five men who were all unavailable for one reason or another. Paul Robinson came in up front with Michael Taylor earning a defensive spot alongside Darren Kelly. Mark Birch was drafted into midfield. Carlisle won an early free kick and from Murphy's delivery, Richie Foran headed wide of the post. Matthew Sparrow had Scunny's first effort, bringing a neat save out of Matty Glennon. Dawson produced a free kick on target but his curling effort was grabbed by Glennon on 16 minutes. Torpey then shrugged off Taylor before shooting wide of the left hand post. Jon McCarthy slid in a little late in the 21st minute and became the first man to go into the book. The game began to get a bit scrappy as both sides failed to play constructive football. Shelley fired in a shot for the Cumbrians that was easily saved. Birch became the second player booked. Peter Murphy made a telling tackle as United came under a bit of pressure. United started the second half looking to make the breakthrough as McGill's cross just failed to find the head of Robinson. Dawson brought a save out of Glennon. The Iron forced a corner when a free kick bounced off Carlisle's defensive wall. Jamie McCombe met the corner kick and headed wide of the left post. Torpey set up Graves with a chest down who shot wide. Marc Nixon was a surprise replacement for Paul Robinson on the hour. Scunny attacked with menace as Graves cut inside and fired in a testing shot that Glennon tipped over for a corner. Torpey produced a shot that Glennon held on to comfortably. United were being pressed back a lot more but the defence was still looking solid. Baldacchino entered the fray as a substitute. Carruthers broke away shadowed by Murphy but Glennon got down well to smother. With seconds left in normal time Torpey challenged Glennon and the ball spun away to strike a post and go out for a corner kick. Three minutes were added on by the referee. Nixon slipped clear of the defence, rounded Evans and just failed to pull the ball back as defenders got back to cover. Nixon went into the book as the seconds ticked away. As an amazing five minutes were added on Foran was booked for time-wasting. Al's verdict: Full marks to our defence although another very poor piece of officiating almost threatened to spoil the afternoon with inconsistent decisions and an extra two and a half minutes inexplicably added on. Chances increased in the second half and we were under the cosh a bit but Glennon and his defenders held firm and a 0-0 result was fair. It now creates a chance of glory in the 3rd Round draw tomorrow which would add spice not to mention a few extra hundred to the gate for the replay on the 17th. |
