Carlisle started well forcing the early pressure including several corners It was against the run of play when Halifax took the lead on 27 minutes. A throw in on their right led to a cross to Bradshaw at the back post. He drove the ball past Weaver.
Carlisle continued to play well. Darby had a well struck shot from the edge of the area comfortably saved.
Heggs jinxed through and the Halifax goalie saved bravely at his feet. He injured his hand and was replaced in the goals at half time by former Barrow and Scarborough Tony Parks.
Heggs and a Halifax player were booked for dissent with the referee enforcing the new ten yard rule in both cases.
The second half saw Halifax coming further into the game and a cross from the right (again) was headed in by Kerrigan despite being marked by both Winstanley and Squires.
Carlisle immediately brought on David Lee for the disappointing Tony Carrs. He reignited Carlisle as an attacking force, Heggs and Stevens came more into the game. With just ten minuted left Hemmings was tripped in the box and Soley confidently scored the penalty scoring to the goalkeepers top left hand corner. Halifax pulled a player back and Carlisle began to press for an equaliser. Heggs and Stevens combined but a diving header was foiled by a defenders boot. Carlisle brought off Winstanley for Dobie and went to 4-3-3. In the last minute of normal time Stevens got clear down the left beating his man before running down the touchline and squaring for Soley to equalise. The celebrations on the pitch and the terraces showed how importnat it was to salvage a point. Carlisle had a corner in injury time but failed to score from It. Maybe that was asking just a little too much.
| Weaver | 7 | No chance with the goals. Had one dodgy moment from a cross and made one brilliant save |
| Birch | 7 | A condfident debut although he tired towards the end |
| Hemmings | 5 | Looked good coming forward but very shaky defensivley |
| Winstanley | 7 | The pick of the defence but at fault for the second goal |
| Squires | 6 | Did all right but again messed up on the second goal |
| Whitehead | 7 | Was rubbish until the last 15 minutes then really started to play |
| Carss | 5 | Disappointing |
| Darby | 5 | Started well but then faded and looked short of match fitness |
| Soley | 7 | Well taken goals when he finally ventured forward at the end |
| Stevens | 7 | Battled tirelessly and set up the goal |
| Heggs | 7 | STAR MAN: Battled for everything pacey, good touch |
| Subs | ||
| Lee | 7 | (for Carrs) Passed the ball about excellently. Hope we can afford his wages |
| Dobie | (for Winstanley 88) |
Crowd 4491
Chris Kearton
A Steve Soley double saw new look Carlisle come back from the dead to snatch a point, but left new manager Ian Atkins with plenty to ponder for the weeks ahead.
The introduction of 8 debutantes was always going to prove difficult and all too familiar defensive frailties allowed Halifax to take a 2-0 lead, before the introduction of Carlisle substitute Dave Lee turned the game.
Atkins said "I was disappointed with the goals conceded, their only attempts on target, its an area we have got to brush up on. We will work and work and if we continue to concede I will replace players. Considering the side has only come together in the last ten days we didn't look as polished as Halifax, particularly in keeping hold of the ball. The first goal gave us a boost and we looked physically and mentally stronger than them, and if the game had gone another 5 minutes we would have won it. The fighting spirit was evident and I want that right throughout the club."
Although Carlisle started brightly, Halifax began to dominate possession. They took the lead after 29 minutes when Carlisle's Tony Hemmings failed to win his tackle on Mark Jules, whose low cross was volleyed home by Mark Bradshaw.
After 34 minutes Halifax keeper, Lee Butler, saved well at the feet Carl Heggs, suffering a broken finger in the process. In the 43rd minute Julian Darby hit his shot straight at the keeper, after being played into a good position by Antony Carrs.
In the 46th minute Halifax striker Gary Jones goalbound effort was brilliantly turned over the bar by Luke Weaver.
The Shaymen extended their lead in the 69th minute when a deep cross from Chris Wilder was headed home, unmarked, by Steve Kerrigan.
Carlisle immediately introduced former Bolton winger, Dave Lee, into the action and Atkins' substitution proved the games turning point.
Lee proved to be the much needed outlet when Carlisle had possession, constantly looking for the ball and using it effectively.
Carlisle's increasing pressure brought a lifeline in the 76th minute when Tony Hemmings was brought down by an innocent looking Mark Jules tackle. Steve Soley emphatically powered home the resulting penalty.
Carlisle visibly grew in confidence, dominating the play, and their just reward came in the last minute when Ian Stevens got away down the left and picked out Steve Soley in the box, who calmly tucked away his second goal into the bottom corner.
The evidence of Ian Atkin's passion for the game, indicates the playing side of Carlisle's future is in good hands. Let's hope the Board give Atkins the support he deserves.
Mike Corry
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