Division 3 top scorer Steve Soley scored a late equaliser for the second home game running to save another point for Carlisle. Soley's strike from a free kick which had been moved forward 10 yards came even later than his 92nd minute equaliser against Halifax. In truth it was little more than Carlisle deserved in a scrappy match that was set alight by an extremely dubious refereeing decision on the hour. Birch stood his ground as a York forward backed in then rolled over and into the box in one movement. The referee blew for a foul then ran 20 yards to see if the York player had rolled far enough into the box. Apparently he had and Weaver dived too early as Duffield stroked in the penalty for York to take the lead.
Carlisle had started with Matthew Pitts replacing Antony Carrs in a 5-3-2 formation. Midway through a terrible first half they switched to 4-4-2 with Hemmings moving in to midfield and the impressive Pitts switching to left back. It was Pitts who had Carlisle's best effort with a good run down the left leading to him shooting from the edge of the box. Fettis in the York goal turned it round for a corner. York's best effort came when a corner caused panic in the Carlisle defence but the ball ended up sailing over Luke Weaver's crossbar.
The second half saw some early Carlisle dominance. They forced several corners and the previously anonomous Soley started to close the York midfield down. David Lee also got stuck in - one innocous challenge led to him joining York's Darren Edmondson in the book.
It was against the run of play then when York were handed the lead. Carlisle soon brought on local lads Prokas and Dobie who replaced the disappointing Darby and injured Pitts and Carlisle switched to 3 at the back. Dobie was soon putting himself about and began to link up quite well with the hard working Stevens and Heggs. Heggs put Soley through but the ball was just behind him and he scuffed his shot. Dobie tried to flick the ball past Fettis in the York goal but the goalie got a touch. Soley saw a free kick cannon off the crossbar as Carlisle searched for an equaliser.
York had a great chance to seal it but a free header at the back post ended up in the waterworks end rather than Weaver's net. As time ran out the referee looked at his watch and nearly blew his whistle. York had wasted a bit more time since he'd indicated just 2 minutes stoppage time to the 4th official so he played on a little longer. Seconds later Carlisle were awarded a free kick. A York player booted the ball away and the kick was advanced ten yards to the edge of the box. Soley placed his free kick past the dodgy looking defensive wall into the goalkeepers bottom left hand corner.
Another point and the message is clear. NO ONE comes to Brunton Park and takes the three points.
Team
Weaver 6, Birch 8, Pitts 8, Winstanley 8, Whitehead 8, Hemmings 6, Darby 5, Soley 7, Lee 6, Heggs 6, Stevens 6
Subs
Prokas (for Darby 65 mins)
Dobie (for Pitts 65 mins)
Not used : McCaughtrie, Tracey, Carrs
Chris Kearton
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