Result: Carlisle United 3-0 Cambridge United
Scorers: Peacock, Smart, Aspinall (Carlisle)
Att: 3839
United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Wanless, Craddock, Raynor, Hayes, Hyde, Kyd (Turner 63), Barnwell, Beall (Preece 74)
Sub not used: Thompson
Bookings: Turner 67 (foul)
From the Electronic Telegraph:
Carlisle hit three goals in the last 17 minutes to show there is still plenty of life in their promotion challenge after only one win in their previous eight League games.
Atrocious weather conditions made the gate of 3,839 the lowest of the season at Brunton Park, but a sparkling finish puts Carlisle back among the leading clubs.
Roy McFarland took Cambridge into their first League game under his management and it could hardly have been a tougher baptism against promotion rivals.
Warren Aspinall should have put Carlisle ahead in the 17th minute when timing his run perfectly from a Owen Archdeacon pass only to snatch his shot wide under pressure from defender Matt Joseph. There were some nice touches and good distribution from Joseph but he tended to play too much football at the back for the conditions.
Scott Barrett continued to be the busier goalkeeper throughout and made another magnificent save in the 62nd minute from Conway and then 10 minutes later touched a goal-bound Aspinall shot out for a corner. The kick was only half cleared, however, and from the right Archdeacon's cross saw Peacock send a glancing header past Barrett.
Six minutes later buoyant Carlisle had clinched victory when Conway put Allan Smart away and the striker coolly beat Barrett. Carlisle now had the bit between their teeth against a team with one of the best away records in the League and eight minutes from the end Aspinall scored a third.
From various sources including the Abbey Update:
United's promotion campaign hit a set-back in freezing Cumbria tonight, a 3-0 defeat coming on the heels of a four match winning run and underlining the need for goals in the wake of Scott McGleish's departure.
The first half at Brunton Park was disappointing as United looked short of ideas up front, and although the scoreline slightly flatters Carlisle our team did not deserve to win on this performance. It took an hour before we summoned a shot on target, Barnwell's shot comfortably dealt with by the blues' keeper. Paul Raynor also saw his shot saved on 81 minutes, but by then we were already trailing by two goals as Carlisle mounted a late barrage on Scott Barrett's goal. Peacock opened the scoring on 73, Alan Smart added the second in the 79th minute and just three minutes later Warren Aspinall completed the scoring.
Roy McFarland sent two old heads into the action - Robbie Turner replacing Michael Kyd just after the hour and David Preece for Billy Beall after the first goal was conceded - but all they had to show for their efforts was a yellow card for Turner.
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