A ray of hope filtered through the gloom of one of the darkest periods in Carlisle's history, as news that Michael Knighton's impending departure may be sooner rather than later, coincided with the Cumbrians first goal in 463 minutes of third division football.
The home side raced into a two goal lead only for the Bluebirds to pull both goals back. The disappointment of letting a two goal lead slip was evident, but one could sense that better times may well be ahead for the Cumbrians long suffering fans.
Manager Ian Atkins took some positive things from the match. He said: "I thought some of the passing and movement was excellent but when you get two nil up just before halftime you've got to tone it down and get the wide men to tuck in a bit and close the game down. I thought the football was probably the best we've played this season at home, particularly in the first 45 minutes, but we should have had three points. It was a good performance blighted by a couple of minor things that we need to work on, on the training pitch, but cost us two sloppy goals. But that is the negative side, going forward again we did have some good chances, we got in great areas but we sometimes try to walk the ball in rather than just hitting it. That comes with confidence and that will get better. I thought Inglis and Winstanley at the back and Whitehead and Prokas in midfield were outstanding tonight. We still need to strengthen and I know the areas but we saw a lot of positives tonight."
The Cumbrians could not have wished for a better start with debutante Stephan Lemarchand scrambling home the 7th minute opener after his first shot had been partially saved by Cardiff keeper Mark Walton.
Two minutes later Luke Weaver had to be alert to parry away a fierce 30 yard free kick from Scott McCulloch.
On 13 minutes Lee Maddison came to the home side's rescue with a goal line clearance from Leo Fortune-West's shot. Within a minute Weaver had to go full length to turn a Kevin Nugent shot away.
The away side had a lucky escape when Josh Low sliced a Stuart Whitehead cross narrowly wide of the post with his keeper beaten after 23 minutes. Within a minute mark Birch was on hand to clear an Andy Legg shot of the line.
As play swung to the other end the Cumbrians extended their lead when Scott Dobie got on the end of Richard Tracey's 34th minute left wing cross to side foot the ball into the top corner of the net. Lemarchand immediately should have scored but failed with a one on one with the keeper, who mad a fine save at the forwards feet.
The Bluebirds were still creating chances and a long ball through the centre of the Carlisle defence fell to Robert Earnshaw who volleyed narrowly over the bar.
The away side got back in the game on 39 minutes when Earnshaw's cross was headed home by Andy Legg.
On 42 minutes Tracey headed over the bar from Dobie's cross.
Three minutes into the second half Matthew Brazier almost conceded an own goal when he headed past his own keeper and was relieved to see the ball creep the right side of the post.
Two minutes later Cardiff drew level when Daniel Gabbidon flicked on a Legg corner for Kevin Nugent to head home.
The home side wasted a good opening after 69 minutes when substitute Carl Heggs cross found Lemarchand who volleyed over the bar. Cardiff immediately responded and Fortune-West headed over from Lowe's cross.
Mark Birch was then unlucky to see his sixty yard clearance cum shot bounce over Mark Walton and onto the roof of the net after 74 minutes.
With five minutes to go Lemarchand appeared to get goal side of Scott Young before going down and claiming a penalty. The incensed Cardiff defender thought the Frenchman had dived and appeared to strike Lemarchand but the referee waved the home sides appeals away.
All in all this was a better performance from the Cumbrians but a draw was probably a fair result given the number of chances that fell to both sides.
Mike Corry
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