Blues run continues to Curle’s frustration
CARLISLE UNITED manager Keith Curle insisted his side should have gone on to beat Barnet, but instead they had to settle for a draw at Brunton Park.
A point apiece for both sides stretches Carlisle’s winless run to five games, while for Barnet it was heartbreak for the second time in four days, conceding late to drop more points.
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro had put the Bees ahead early on and the visitors looked like they would grind out the win, but a spectacular overhead kick from Shaun Miller five minutes from time rescued a point for Carlisle.
“There was a feeling of relief in the changing room afterwards, but also frustration because they wanted to win,” Curle said.
“I thought we were going to win it. We had a couple of opportunities in extra time to go on and do just that.
“If we had won it, on the balance of play Barnet couldn’t have been too disgruntled.
“We have given them something to defend and they have defended admirably.
“There were times when we needed a little bit more quality in the final third, but we were brave and showed good character. Confidence breeds results.”
Curle’s men fell behind on eight minutes when Shaquile Coulthirst’s flick on from a long punt forward caught the Carlisle defence unaware, allowing Akpa Akpro to nip in behind and tap in, after his first attempt rebounded off the post.
David Tutonda and Coulthirst both went close to doubling Barnet’s lead either side of the interval, and an unmarked Mark Ellis should have levelled for the hosts on 81 minutes, but instead the ball ran through his legs.
But four minutes later Shaun Miller did equalise with a superb overhead kick ten yards from goal. Ellis and Danny Grainger then almost headed in a home winner in time added on.
Rossi Eames, Barnet’s boss, reflected: “We are making sure we start games well and start each half well, but we need to be finishing games well too.
“It’s a 90-minute game and we have to make sure we are alert for the whole period of time we are playing.
“There’s a little bit of dejection that we didn’t get the second goal to kill the game off. You have to put those chances to bed as otherwise you get punished.
“But you have to give the lads credit as well – they showed huge resilience to do what they did. You have to say that this was a hardfought point.”