A defeat at the hands of a Plymouth Argyle side, now six points clear at the top of the table, was fairly predictable but the manner of the defeat was the more unpalatable.

The players’ commitment and willingness to work was unquestionable but the obvious lack of quality to compete on even terms was alarmingly evident.

Steve Soley’s sending off on the half-hour probably contributed to the defeat but the Pilgrims had already demonstrated a far sharper cutting edge than the Cumbrians to warrant the excuse inadmissible.

Although Roddy Collins has used 32 players so far this season he believes he desperately needs to bring in another four players to stop the rot.

Collins said after the game: “The first fifteen minutes they didn’t look really threatening. We came with a system. Without Richie Foran we had to utilise the players we had and hold them as best we could. We changed things around after the goal to try and get something out of it. Losing a player makes it difficult but when you’re playing the league leaders and a goal down it’s even more difficult. I thought if we could get through to half-time they might relax a little bit and we might nick something. But on the stroke of halftime dreadful defending for the set piece made it too easy for them and at two nil down we had no chance. We need four players, everyone can identify that. We’re dealing with kids here and trying to keep the morale right until we get these four players in. The best news today is Paul Boertein played for Derby which gives us another hundred grand which I’ve been told I can spend on players.”

Plymouth were soon on top with Martin Phillips and Michael Evans dragging early shots wide.

The first goal came with 17 minutes gone, Evans shooting home the loose ball after David Friio’s shot was partially blocked.

Peter Keen then rescued the Cumbrians with a double save, getting down well to block Jason Bent’s shot and then reacting quickly to turn Friio’s follow up shot away to safety.

A Phillips shot stretched Keen before Steve Soley saw red after pulling down Friio in full flow to earn a second yellow card.

The inevitable second came in injury time when a Phillips short corner found Stonebridge who squared a ball into Bent’s path for the midfielder to bury a twenty yard effort into the bottom corner.

Service resumed as normal after the interval with chances for Plymouth coming thick and fast.

Keen saved well from Coughlan, Hodges and Evans before Coughlin headed home a Phillips cross only for the effort to be ruled out for a push on Winstanley.

Carlisle substitute Jonny Allen had two late opportunities but failed to hit the target from Phil Hadland crosses.

The game was finally sealed with two minutes left when Phillips forced home a loose ball following a Paul Wotton corner.

Further injury time chances were spurned by Phillips to save the Cumbrians’ blushes of an even more emphatic defeat.

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Sent Off