PORT VALE 1 CARLISLE 2 Cumbrians give Curle a final away-day victory

WITH Port Vale safe from relegation, and Carlisle United ruled out of the play-off race, the penultimate fixture of the season for both sides was more notable for the Cumbrian behind-the-scenes subplots than it was for anything that took place on the field of play.

A Thursday announcement confirmed a long-standing rumour that this is to be Keith Curle’s final season with the Blues, with the popular manager choosing to remain in the dug-out for the final two fixtures of the campaign as opposed to quietly slinking out of Brunton Park’s back door.

The focus was on the director’s box as Carlisle’s hierarchy took their seats ahead of kick-off, with managerial hopefuls expected to run the rule over the players as a summer of rebuilding is contemplated, but there was little in the way of clues as to what direction the Blues will take now that their season and current head coach’s tenure are all but over.

Next on the agenda, following the final season kickabout against Newport County next weekend, will be for decisions to be made on the raft of outof-contract players who will either share the same taxi as

their departing gaffer or supplement the meagre numbers contracted to return for the next campaign.

But the course won’t truly be set until the dressing once more has a figurehead and, with Curle having turned relegation fodder into top-half contenders, there are certainly big shoes to fill and expectations to be met for whoever gets the nod this time round.

So, what about the football? This dead rubber produced some surprisingly enjoyable moments, tinged with a hint of emotion, as the travelling fans showed their appreciation to their soon boss.

The early pressure belonged to the Cumbrians, with fantastic deliveries from CampbellRyce and Jones deserving more than their unhindered progress across an empty sixyard box. Grainger and Nadesan had half-chances through a dominant first 30 minutes for the away side, but the keeper remained largely untroubled as things fizzled out as soon as the ball got anywhere near the opposition box.

Despite all of the good work, Carlisle were undone when Whitfield streaked away with to be departed possession from just inside his own half. His run took him to the edge of the United box where he found Turner in close support. A dinked pass invited the shot, and Bonham could do nothing as Angus headed the ball home from one-yard out after the stopper had made an initial very good save.

The lead was almost doubled immediately when Turner pulled wide to find space with the Cumbrians careless in possession from the kick off. His pass was perfect for Pope but Bonham readjusted to make an excellent save just as the ball threatened to cross his line. Striker Richie Bennett was thrown into the fold after the break and his presence caused all kinds of problems for the Vale defence when Grainger swung a free kick into the mix. A volley went behind for a corner, and Hornby did well to keep hold of a rasping header from Ellis.

It was a short-lived reprieve for the home side though as Liddle overlapped through a gaping hole on the right flank with time on his side.

His cross took a deflection, but that set things up for a wonderful goal from Ashley Nadesan as he flashed an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net.

The game opened up, with half-chances coming and going at both ends, but it was Carlisle who took the lead when Devitt bent a run to leave defenders in his wake. The cross was impossible for the back line to deal with and Hope celebrated his return from injury with a firm closerange finish.

Vale were reduced to ten men with five minutes left to play as Antony Kay got himself over-involved in an off-theball incident, and that allowed Carlisle to see the game out and give their manager the win he craved from his final away day with the Blues.