Battling Blues back on track for play-off place

WHEN you’re struggling to find a win, the last thing you need is to come up against a side that’s forgotten how to lose.

Carlisle, eyeing the automatic promotion places just five games ago, have tumbled down the table and into the chasing pack following a sticky and unwelcome run of results.

Swindon, on the other hand, had lost just twice in their previous nine games and had been most impressive on the road where they were unbeaten since the middle of December.

Playmaker Jamie Devitt provided a boost as he returned following a three-game suspension, with the side otherwise unchanged as they looked to restart their push for the play-off places.

The weather dominated the opening exchanges as the players found themselves dealing with howling winds and driving rain, and a deflected shot from Hope was the most either side had to show from a laboured early spell.

The mood was lifted by the hosts when Hallam Hope celebrated the news he will be staying for another season with a well taken goal. Devitt was the supply line, with an excellent through ball, and the forward did the rest with a touch and shot that left Vigouroux with no chance.

It could have got even better for Hope moments later when a cross from Slater found the elusive striker completely unmarked. He hesitated a moment too long and the opportunity to shoot was gone.

Carlisle were dealt a blow just before the half hour when centre forward Mark Cullen fell to the floor clutching his groin. He was quickly replaced, with Hope moving into a more central role.

Swindon were right back in it before the break when Gary Liddle gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the box after lunging in recklessly at Anderson. Kyle Bennett placed the ball and left Collin to flap at thin air as he clipped it over the wall and into the top corner.

A scrappy second half had little to offer until Woolery let fly from distance for the visitors. Collin dived low to gather it in. More danger came when Conroy used pace to get into

the box. His cut-back brought a slide from Bennett but he couldn’t find the touch to take it over the line.

Carlisle almost opened things up just past the hour when Thomas fed O’hare with his back to goal. A touch found Hope on the overlap and he raced forward before sliding it back to O’hare. The Aston Villa loanee opted not to shoot and he was quickly closed down.

Keeper Adam Collin had to be at this best when the nippy Kyle Bennett put his head

down to go on a run. He feigned to shoot, which opened a gap, then rifled it low through bodies at the bottom corner. A late dive produced an excellent one-handed stop.

A dipper from Devitt was met on the full by Gerrard. He’d had to stretch, so he couldn’t keep his close-range volley on target, and Hope was a whisker away from getting a vital touch as he threw himself at it.

Carlisle cut short celebrations were when a superb

inswinging free-kick from Devitt was headed into the top corner by Liddle. It appeared to be a great finish until the offside flag went up.

The disappointment was short lived as Thomas was sent clean through into the opposition box. He beat his man and drilled it low, but it was blocked by Dunne. Callum O’hare kept his cool to trap the loose ball before stepping forward to slot a crunching shot under the dive of the surprised keeper.