Cavalry arrives to peg back Cumbrians
TEN-MAN York City overturned a two-goal deficit to salvage a point and manager Russ Wilcox lauded the impact of his substitutes.
The hosts looked dead and buried after conceding twice in the first half before Vadaine Oliver was sent off following an offthe-ball incident that only referee Nick Kinseley appeared to see.
But Wilcox’s side fought back through Luke Summerfield’s penalty and levelled after Emile Sinclair set up fellow substitute Josh Carson.
And Wilcox was delighted after his side snatched a point against the odds.
“The lads who entered the pitch changed it, even though we had ten men against their 11,” the York manager said.
“The massive positive from the game is the character and togetherness – 99 people out of 100 in the crowd would have thought that was an away win and at times you do doubt it.
“But you make changes and hope for a reaction; two weeks running now the lads who come off the bench have made a big impression on the game.”
York dominated early on as Reece Thompson blazed over the game’s first chance on 22 minutes after composed play by debutant Rhys Turner.
But debutant Alex Gilliead’s incisive run carved the home defence open four minutes later and the Newcastle United loanee picked out Miller inside the right channel, who side-footed past Scott Flinders. Miller’s strike ensured Carlisle finally had a foothold in the game and they doubled their lead late in the first-half.
Gilliead’s deflected shot bounced fortuitously into the feet of Troy Archibald-Henville and the defender slotted into an empty net from 12 yards.
Oliver’s red card on 51 minutes appeared to blow any hope of York taking anything away from the game, but Summerfield levelled from the penalty spot after he was felled inside the area and York levelled soon after.
Sinclair broke free behind the Carlisle defence and squared for Carson, who glanced the ball inside the far post despite looking second best to get the ball. Both sides then had chances to take three points late on but it ended all square. Carlisle manager Keith Curle said: “We got a little bit anxious in our play, we got a little bit gung-ho. It’s nothing about the willingness, desire or application.
“I don’t think now is the time to justify the reasons and wellbeing behind my thoughts.
“Goals change games, substitutes can change games positively as well and everything was done today for a positive outcome.
“We don’t want to start scaremongering and having a fear factor at the club. Sometimes you’re going to get those ups and downs in games, it’s all about how you respond.”