CARLISLE UNITED 0 YEOVIL TOWN 1 Goal drought goes on for frustrated United

CARLISLE United’s wait for a goal on their own turf in league competition extended to a mammoth 471-minutes.

Their inability to score at home now is as much a cause for concern as it the reason for their tumble into mid-table obscurity.

It is not the fact good chances – very good chances – are not being created, or a lack of desire or endeavour, but it is the openings being snatched at and excellent attacking situations squandered which will be causing the most consternation in the manager’s office.

A weak underbelly was exposed again as they lost the game to a free-kick conceded deep into time added on.

United made the first chance when Macauley Gillesphey latched on to a loose ball 28 yards from the target.

He let fly and Baxter had to tip it over as it threatened to dip beneath his bar.

Both sides gave as good as they got in a frantic opening spell and Mike Jones thought he had done the trick when he dropped a shoulder to make space for a low shot.

It hit Mugabe on the thigh but Baxter had just enough time to readjust before dropping low to palm it wide of the upright.

Testing corners from Jones became a theme of the first half and a flick from Anthony Gerrard gave Gary Liddle half a chance as he ghosted in at the back stick.

It was at a difficult height, so his volley lacked purpose - but it still needed a goalline clearance to prevent it from crossing the line with Baxter completely out of the picture.

There was rare work for Collin to do at the other end when the prolific Alex Fisher shielded a ball inside the area. His turn preceded a cheeky and unexpected lob which the home keeper did well to get to.

His fingertip touch was just enough to stop the ball from finding its intended target.

United started to become wasteful after working hard to find good areas, summed up when Kelvin Etuhu dragged a poor shot off towards the corner flag when he had options left and right.

Yeovil sensed they might able to nick it and efforts from Patrick and Gray had Collin scrambling as the visitors started to pick up.

It became a tepid affair as misplaced passes and poor decisions made by both outfits killed off any hopes of it turning into an entertaining encounter.

Half chances came and went but it was more frustration for the Cumbrians as they drew a blank again.

They were made to pay the price when a deflected Tom James free-kick nicked the points for a jubilant travelling Yeovil contingent.