"I WAS THERE"

ROCK BOTTOM CUMBRIANS

Carlisle's sorry season plummeted to new depths at the Withdean Stadium, as their all too familiar defensive frailties leaves them looking up at the rest of the Football League from 92nd place.
The Cumbrians more than matched the high flying home side for long periods of the game, but their unwillingness to attack balls in defensive areas again cost them dearly.
Thirteen goals conceded in their last four games clearly points to the root cause of Carlisle's current demise. Unless Ian Atkins can bring in defenders with a ball winning mentality the Cumbrians are now looking a sure bet for the Conference.
The Carlisle manager knows what is needed but his actions are stifled by the off the pitch activity surrounding the proposed buy out of the club by the current Board of Directors from owner Michael Knighton.
Atkins said: "I know the problems, I've known that from day one. Because there are so many areas you have to do it bit by bit. If I could make the changes lock, stock and barrel I know what I'd do on Monday and I know who would be in and who would be out but we haven't got that facility so we've just got to keep plugging away."
The early stages of the match were devoid of incident with the Blues looking comfortable in all departments when the game sparked into life after 18 minutes when home keeper Michael Kuipers needed a double save to keep out Stuart Whitehead's header from Mick Galloway's corner.
Three minutes later the Seagull's wing back Paul Watson gave the home side the lead in farcical fashion. His innocuous cross from the right saw Bobby Zamora feign a header but it was sufficient to put off keeper Peter Keen as the ball rolled harmlessly into the net.
John Inglis almost got the Cumbrians back on terms when his 31st minute header from Connelly's flick on from a Galloway corner hit the bar.
Three minutes from half time Carlisle deservedly drew level with a little bit of good fortune of their own when Kerry Mayo sliced a Galloway corner into his own net.
Four minutes into the second half Brighton got back in front when Peter Keen could only parry Richard Carpenter's header allowing Zamora to force home the rebound with the Carlisle defence sleeping.
On 61 minutes Richard Prokas gave away a penalty for pushing Matthew Wicks and Watson stepped up to slot away his second of the match.
Four minutes later it was all over as the ball broke loose from Mark Birch's tackle on Zamora for Lee Steele to turn into the net.