Supersub Cullen to the rescue for Askey

VALE manager John Askey bemoaned a “sloppy start”, but praised the impact of his substitutes after coming from behind to beat Carlisle.

Ryan Loft had given the visitors the lead after just 20 seconds in their first game since sacking boss Steven Pressley on Wednesday.

But Vale, who move up to eighth, scored two second-half goals through David Worrall and substitute Mark Cullen, as they remain unbeaten at home in the league.

Askey said: “It was a sloppy start and you are always going to be up against it conceding so early, but we missed numerous chances in the first half.

“The thing we have now is we have people on the bench who can change a game, we have not had that before and that made the difference.

“You just can’t start like that. If someone switches off in the first seconds then it can cost you and it did. You just hoped it wasn’t going to be one of those days where everyone gets frustrated.

“But full credit to the players again, they have worked hard and we now go into December undefeated at home.”

Carlisle made the best possible start when Loft met Gethin Jones’ ball at the back post and tapped it past Vale goalkeeper Scott Brown.

They nearly doubled their lead after four minutes when Loft’s cross fell to Mike Jones on the edge of the box, but his thunderbolt went just wide of a post.

At the other end, Jake Taylor’s 25-yard effort cannoned off the woodwork and Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin made a stunning close-range save to keep out Ritchie Bennett.

The Valiants equalised in the 59th minute when Worrall met James Gibbons’ pass and poked the ball home.

The hosts won it 14 minutes later when Carlisle defender Byron Webster completely missed Gibbons’ ball into the box and Cullen was there to divert it home. Carlisle caretaker boss Gavin Skelton said: “The fans were right behind us and clapped us off, which is a true reflection of the way we played.

“I’m just disappointed that our good play and commitment didn’t turn into points because we were good today.

“The league table doesn’t lie and we are in for a battle. It is alright talking about all the good things we are doing, but we really have to turn them into points.”