Carlisle grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory as they seeked a first victory at Macclesfield's Moss Rose "ground". The Cumbrians created more chances than in any away game this season but hot shot strikers Ian Stevens and Scott Dobie missed excellent chances to put the game beyond the Silkmen. They were punished when Macclesfield's want-away striker Richie Barker converted a rare chance for the home side after 56 minutes. Even then Carlisle managed to shoot themselves in the foot - 10 seconds earlier they had a free kick in their own half. Captain Stuart Whitehead opted to punt the ball forward and it was returned in kind by a Macclesfield defender who found Barker, in behind the advancing Carlisle defence. He coolly knocked the ball past the advancing Glennon in the Carlisle goal before knocking the ball into an empty net.
It was harsh on Carlisle who had controlled the game for most of the first half and had created numerous chances. Stevens found his way through the home defence to leave himself one on one with Macclesfield keeper Martin. However the home keeper saved well from Stevens powerful shot. It was Stevens again who flashed a shot across the goal from the edge of the area moments later. Carlisle had another great chance when full back Lee Maddison surged forward but shot straight at the keeper with three Carlisle players virtually unmarked in the centre. Macclesfield had come back into the game towards the end of the first half as youngster John Hore struggled to make an impact in the midfield. Just before half time Glennon saved well, low down, pushing a shot round for a corner.
After an uneventful start to the second half Macclesfield took the lead. Carlisle came close to equalising when Scott Dobie could only head tamely into the keepers arms when it seemed easier to score from Ian Stevens excellent cross. Then Stevens was replaced by Carl Heggs whose run led to a chance for John Hore. It was to be Heggs only meaningful contribution as Carlisle's play degenerated into what can only be described as appalling. The defence appeared to be uninterested in playing any football with Whitehead, Winstanley and especially Birch infuriating the travelling support with their long hoofs forward, most of which found touch or the Macclesfield keeper. Hemmings who had earlier come on as a substitute for Hore was bizarrely substituted (though his contribution was hardly noticeable) as Atkins resorted to more long ball tactics by bringing on McAughtrie as an emergency centre forward. The resulting "football" was dire with many away fans so disgruntled they walked out without giving the players the applause their earlier play had merited.
Carlisle United:
Glennon , Birch , Maddison , Winstanley , Whitehead , Darby (McAughtrie 86)
, Galloway , Connelly , Dobie , Stevens (Heggs 64) , Hore (Hemmings 66
(McAughtrie 86))
Subs not used: Anthony , Dawson
Bookings:
Winstanley 10 Innocuous looking challenge instantly punished
Galloway 35 Bizarre off the ball incident which only the linesman spotted
Stevens 37 Again the referee was quick to punish a Carlisle foul when the home crowd demanded a card
Connelly 58 Apparently booked for getting smacked in the face by a Macclesfield defender
Heggs 70 Again running around kicking people it was his second bad challenge
Chris Kearton
Another momentary lapse in concentration again cost Carlisle dearly as they went down to a solitary Richie Barker goal at Moss Rose.
The Cumbrians created enough chances to have got at least a point out of the game and defensively were sound apart from being unable to deal with the route one move which resulted in Macclesfield's winner.
Manager Ian Atkins was conscious of repeating the same old excuses when he said after the game: "We've been punished again for one lapse in concentration and not doing our jobs properly. The chances we created for an away side was embarrassing for the home side but it wasn't our day in front of goal. When you have days like that you have got to defend solidly and keep a clean sheet to get something out of the game. We got caught with a long ball again, just like at Kidderminster in midweek, and that is pathetic. We made Macclesfield look a very average side but we've lost again, but how many times have I said that. I'm beginning to sound like a stuck record. I need to change individuals but can't do it. It's very frustrating."
The Silkmen created the first opening of the match after three minutes when Carlisle keeper Matt Glennon needed to be alert to stop Chris Priest's shot from the edge of the box.
On 22 minutes Ian Stevens should have put the visitors in front but home keeper Lee Martin did well to get down to turn his shot away. Priest again went close after 35 minutes when he headed narrowly wide from Danny Adams' cross.
With three minutes left to the break Lee Maddison should have put the Cumbrians ahead when played through by Gordon Connelly. Again Martin made a good save at Maddison's feet to win the one on one encounter.
In first half injury time Glennon made an excellent save pushing a Lee Glover shot round the post.
Five minutes into the second half Scott Dobie should have done better than head an Ian Stevens cross straight at Martin.
With 55 minutes gone the Cumbrians were made to pay for their missed chances when Mark Winstanley failed to deal with a routine long ball, allowing Richie Barker in to draw Matt Glennon and slot home.
Four minutes later Winstanley could have made amends but headed straight at Martin from a partially cleared corner.
On 66 minutes John Hore should have equalised when Carl Heggs' blocked shot broke to him only for Martin to make another outstanding save from the youngster's shot.
The football was now less than pretty as the Cumbrians resorted to long balls to put pressure on the home side. But the Silkmen almost got another goal on the break as Priest headed narrowly over from a Glover cross. Carlisle have somehow got to find a way of turning improved performances into points as Ian Atkins is again left scratching his head for an answer.
Mike Corry
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