CAMBRIDGE 1 CARLISLE 2 Carlisle celebrate win after stuttering start

CARLISLE United boss John Sheridan had called for a reaction following his side’s belowpar away day performance at Mansfield last weekend, but they took an age to get into a game that could have been out of sight long before they levelled things up just before the break.

As it was, they overcame their stuttering start to go on to dominate in every area, and the three points was the least they deserved from what was another strong display.

Cambridge had the first corner of the game with just 60 seconds on the clock and the dipping delivery from Maris caused problems as it skipped off the surface. Former-Blue Jabo Ibehre reacted late and his header went wide as he struggled to readjust.

The Abbeymen stayed on the front foot and Carroll did well to send Brown clear and into a dangerous area with a lovely reverse pass. The cross needed a touch, but Liddle got there first to send it behind.

More good work from Amoo gave him an opening as he left his marker for dead, but Brown needed a touch before he could get his shot away. It had power but it rose harmlessly over the angle of the visitor’s post and bar.

Carlisle stayed patient and Devitt showed strength to shield a throw from Liddle as he worked his way into the area. Glendon called for it but his 20-yard shot lacked power and Forde dropped calmly to gather it in.

It needed an unbelievable save from Collin to keep Azeez at bay when he found himself unmarked and with the ball at his feet, just 10 yards out. The big stopper spread himself to make the block from what was a thundering drive.

But it was a short-lived reprieve as Ibehre beat the offside trap to gather a pass over the top. He weighed up his options before rolling the ball into the path of the alert Jevani Brown. Collin had no chance on this occasion as the ball was drilled into his unguarded bottom corner.

Carlisle started to see more of the possession following the setback, with a switch in formation to 4-4-2, and they were back on terms just before the break when they flooded the opposition half with almost every man in an advanced position.

Touches from Etuhu, Glendon and Devitt kept the momentum going, but it was Yates who stretched the defence when he dropped a shoulder to cross to the back stick. Devitt recovered it, and his looped delivery was met by a leap from Richie Bennett.

His header left Forde rooted to the floor as it dropped neatly into the back of the net.

Carlisle went close again just after the restart when Devitt pulled wide to make room for a cross. Bennett met it but it was difficult chance and he couldn’t guide his header onto the target.

Collin had to brave moments later when a swipe from Azeez took a deflection and spun through into the box. Brown lunged in but the keeper ignored the high boot to pluck the ball out of the air.

Carlisle continued to look the more likely, and they got their reward when Devitt slid a pass through to Nadesan in the box. He controlled and shot, and reacted immediately as the block gave him more space to work in. Forde had no chance as a crisp shot flew beneath his dive to give the visitors their deserved lead.

United should have had the points wrapped up with six minutes left to play when Yates robbed the ball off Halliday inside the Cambridge half. He had Campbell in support and the pass invited a first time shot. The visiting contingent were ready to celebrate until his thumping shot shaved the outside of the post.