York ended a run of 6 successive defeats but it was the Carlisle fans who were happier with the result. Indeed it could have been even better for the Cumbrians if Scott Dobie had taken one of two excellent chances, one in either half.
Carlisle were unchanged from the team that beat Mansfield on Saturday whilst York fielded three new signings in the shape of the referee and his two assistants. Ian Stevens had an early chance for Carlisle but snapped at his shot when he had time to advance on the York keeper Fettis. Carlisle looked pretty solid at the back but the midfield again looked uncomfortable with the 5-3-2 hardly playing to the strengths of midfielders Soley and Galloway.
Carlisle mounted several attacks but the flag happy linesman flagged Stevens offside time after time. The usually cool Stevens even had a go at the official when he was through one on one only to be pulled back.
York had an excellent chance to take the lead when Winstanley clipped the heels of a York attacker who was being tracked by Maddison. However the spot kick was low to Glennon's left and he made a good save, gathering the ball at the second attempt as the impressive Carlisle support behind that goal celebrated.
York had the best of the start of the second half with a few long range efforts that Glennon watched go wide. Carlisle came more into the game when Steve Halliday replaced the hard working Ian Stevens. This was a refreshing change as Carlisle began to play some nice football with Halliday, eager to prove his manager wrong ran around looking for the ball and creating some nice link up play. He had a chance to score but lacked the sharpness to get his shot in before a good tackle.
Carlisle almost stole it near the end as their only corner of the night found Dobie at the back post. His shot looked goalbound but Fettis managed to get down to make an excellent save. Fettis was less impressive when he flapped at a cross that fell to Soley. With the goalkeeper nowhere Soley's shot was blocked by a York defender.
The game petered out into a draw as the York fans shouted for the head of boss Terry Dolan who can be thankful that the result wasn't worse for his team.
Ratings
Glennon 9, Birch 6, Maddison 7, Winstanley 7, Whitehead 7, Morley 7, Galloway 6, Soley 6, Prokas 7, Dobie 7, Stevens 7
Subs
Halliday 7 (for Stevens, 60mins) Connelly (for Galloway, 90 mins)
Not Used: Heggs, Darby, Hemmings
Chris Kearton
Carlisle extended their unbeaten run to five games but had keeper Matty Glennon to thank for a first half penalty save.
With both sides struggling at the foot of the table this was never going to be a game for the connoisseur.
On a bumpy pitch, just passed fit for play after an afternoon inspection, passing proved difficult for both sides resulting in a scrappy encounter. With neither side capable of keeping possession it took 18 minutes for the first meaningful action when Ian Stevens got away down the right to pull the ball back just behind Scott Dobie, who had to check before hitting a weak shot at Alan Fettis in the York goal.
Four minutes later Mick Galloway found Stevens with a through ball, only for the Cumbrian's top scorer to hit his shot straight at Fettis.
Play immediately swung to the other end and David McNiven was unlucky with a 20 yard drive which flew narrowly wide.
York continued to press and Colin Alcide should have done better than blaze the ball over the bar after Steve Agnew's near post corner was flicked on. The Minster Men should have taken the lead on 39 minutes when Mark Winstanley conceded a penalty by bringing down James Turley. McNiven stepped up to hammer the resulting spot kick to Glennon's left but the Cumbrian's keeper flung himself full length to make a spectacular save.
York had the first chance of the second half on 51 minutes when Neville Stamp's 25 yard shot forced Glennon into a full length save.
Nine minutes later Stevens again got away down the right but his cross was just too strong for the incoming Steve Soley.
Stamp again went close for York after 67 minutes when another 25 yard shot again forced Glennon into a full length save.
Carlisle immediately counter attacked and Fettis fumbled Mark Birch's cross but recovered in time to foil Soley.
The Cumbrians best chance of the game came on 83 minutes when Scott Dobie could only look on in disbelief as Fettis brilliantly turned away his goal-bound header.
York should have wrapped the points up with five minutes left but Scott Emmerson pulled his shot wide when clear with only Glennon to beat.
Carlisle manager Ian Atkins remained upbeat after the game. He said: "It was a good point for us but we again had grind out a result. It was important to get something out of the game to keep the run going. That will build the players confidence. We can pass the ball better than tonight and keep doing the simple things better. We have to take advantage of our home game against Kidderminster on Saturday."
Mike Corry
| RIOA Index |
2000/2001 IML reports |
Email the webmaster |