After the champagne performance at Peterborough midweek, Cumbrian fans turned up in force to confirm United's resurgence only to witness the same old defensive frailties that have dogged Carlisle's season so far.
Even two well taken penalties from Steve Soley were not enough to get anything out of the game, as Rochdale sealed the points with three set piece headed goals, through Tony Ellis and two for Mark Monington.
United's goal hero Steve Soley said after the game: "We let the supporters down today because sometimes we don't give ourselves a chance. We conceded three goals from corners and when players score from six yards out that is just terrible defending. If we are going to come to places and get results we can't afford to keep shooting ourselves in the foot. We scored two goals again away from home and again failed to keep a clean sheet to get something out of the game."
Carlisle went behind on 8 minutes when central defender Mark Monington was allowed a free header from a Tony Ford corner, heading high into the roof of the net.
After 13 minutes Carlisle got back into the game when a jinking run from Steve Halliday was abruptly ended by Graham Atkinson, bringing Halliday down on the edge of the box, to give Carlisle their first penalty of the season. Steve Soley stepped up to hammer the penalty into the top right hand corner with Dale keeper Neil Edwards going the wrong way.
From this point Rochdale dominated the play with Tony Ellis, Gary Jones and Dave Flitcroft all going close before Mark Monington struck again deep into first half stoppage time. Again the Carlisle defence were nowhere as Monington had another free header from a Tony Ford corner.
From the kick off Steve Halliday created a good opening for himself only to screw his shot high over the bar from a good position.
The second half began fairly evenly with Carlisle getting forward with more urgency and on 57 minutes Steve Soley was unlucky to see his shot charged down after linking up well with John Durnin. Rochdale immediately responded with Tony Ellis's attempted curler going narrowly wide. On 60 minutes Dale extended their lead following another poor piece of United defending. Another Tony Ford corner was headed on at the near post by Dave Bayliss, giving Tony Ellis a free header in the middle of United's statuesque defence.
On 71 minutes Carlisle gave themselves a lifeline when another good run from Halliday was ended by a Bayliss foul just inside the box. Soley again stepped up to confidently tuck away his second penalty.
On 86 minutes Steve Soley broke through only to shot weakly when other players were in better positions.
Rochdale dominated the last few minutes and almost extended their lead when Monington was denied his hat trick, from another free header, with a Tony Hopper clearance off the line.
It was a frustrating afternoon for all concerned and Martin Wilkinson was subjected to a torrent of abuse from a minority of Carlisle supporters on leaving the pitch.
Mike Corry
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