"I WAS THERE"

The Cumbrians dismal run continued on the loosing end of a five goal thriller at Bloomfield Road.
In torrential rain Carlisle found themselves three goals down only to pull two goals back and almost snatch a point.
Manager Ian Atkins was left to ponder again. He said: " We need to start games like we played when down to 10 men. I need to bring players in who know the Third division and will scrap for everything to earn the right to win. I know the players I want and just need the go ahead."
The home side got off to a flying start after five minutes when Carlisle born Paul Simpson fed John Hills in on the left and the full back calmly slotted past Peter Keen.
As the home dominated the early exchanges Simpson had a thunderous 25 yard free kick turned over the bar by Keen on nine minutes.
With twenty minutes gone Simpson's wicked left footed in-swinging free kick was turned just round the post by the incoming Hills.
The Cumbrians should have got back in the game on 36 minutes but Stephan Lemarchand failed to control Dobie's through ball when one on one with the keeper.
The Seasiders increased their lead with a minute remaining of the half when Hills near post cross was turned in by John Murphy.
Two minute into the second half Peter keen turned Paul Simpson's free kick over the bar.
The Cumbrians were reduced to ten men when Carl Heggs received a second yellow card for a crude challenge on Danny Coid.
Ironically Carlisle started to produce the better football once down to ten men, particularly when Dave lee came on for Mark Thurston.
On 65 minutes Stuart Whitehead headed wide from Lee Maddison's corner but fell further behind five minutes later. Richard Willens got away and Phil Clarkson hammered home his resulting cross.
Carlisle immediately pulled a goal back when a Maddison cross was headed home by Scott Dobie.
With the Cumbrians now getting on top goalkeeper Peter keen got on the score sheet after 78 minutes in bizarre fashion. His long clearance upfield took one bounce over opposing keeper Jon Kennedy and into the net.
A frantic final five minutes saw the Cumbrians force six corners but that elusive equaliser would not come.