Rich-ie pickings for happy travellers

RICHIE Bennett grabbed the winner as Carlisle continued their excellent form on the road this season.

Beaten just once in their last eight away games, the Cumbrians were too good for an out-of-sorts Rovers side, who remain at the foot of the table.

By far the better side in the first half, the visitors deservedly went ahead when Bennett headed in from Danny Grainger’s 27th-minute free-kick.

Although they improved after the break, Rovers failed to muster a single shot on target in 90 minutes.

Carlisle boss Keith Curle said: “On another day, we could have been out of sight.

“The opposition are always in the game at 1-0 and we needed a second goal to make sure but we were unable to make the most of our chances and had to defend properly.

“Possession was probably shared but we made better use of the ball and looked more dangerous going forward.

“We took good decisions at the back, made some good interventions at the right time, and used our attacking options well.”

Their confidence undermined by three straight defeats, nervous Forest Green served up an error-strewn firsthalf performance, inviting a Carlisle side in fine form on their travels to assume the upper hand.

Bennett rose unchallenged to break the deadlock and the Cumbrians really should have been out of sight before half-time.

Hallam Hope shot wide of a gaping target and saw another effort come back off the crossbar while Bennett was denied a second goal by a brilliant last-ditch clearance from Jack Fitzwater.

Rovers boss Cooper made a double change early in the second half, sending on Omar Bugiel and Jordan Stevens in a bid to breathe life into his team, but the visitors still looked the more likely to score and Hope saw another effort deflected onto the roof of the net. Forest Green’s best chance fell to top-scorer Christian Doidge but he headed woefully wide.

Cooper admitted: “We were toothless and it was a poor performance.

“I’m the manager and I have to take responsibility but too many players went into their shells and started to hide.

“We need character, we need desire and we need players to show for the ball.

“It’s not about tactics or sexy football – it’s about rolling your sleeves up and growing a pair.”