FIGHTBACK SHOWS CURLE HIS SIDE ARE PLAY-OFF CONTENDERS
KEITH Curle has tipped his Carlisle United side to challenge for the play-offs after they came from behind to beat Yeovil Town.
Carlisle defender Michael Raynes netted the most unlikely of braces to help his side complete a memorable comeback victory against the beleaguered visitors to Brunside ton Park. Yeovil raced into a shock two-goal advantage through Ryan Bird and Harry Cornick.
But Raynes’ double either of a Macaulay Gillesphey header saw Curle’s side take the points in dramatic fashion.
The result leaves the Cumbrians on the edge of the play-off places, and Curle admitted he sees the top seven spots as a realistic target.
“The table is taking shape now, and in my opinion we are a top ten side,” the Carlisle boss explained.
“If we keep going like we
have done, with the spirit levels in the dressing room, we will earn the chance to be around those play-off spots.
“The supporters deserve praise, because at 2-0 they really stuck with us.
“I’ve been at some clubs where the atmosphere would’ve turned, but they believed in us and were patient and got their reward.”
The Glovers started sharply and were ahead within five minutes when Bird nodded home a corner unchallenged.
And the lead was quickly doubled when a brilliant turn and pinpoint pass from George Thomas found Cornick, who finished emphatically.
Raynes bundled in his first Carlisle goal from a corner and after the interval, the game turned in the space of a minute, when Bird wasted a glorious opportunity to restore Yeovil’s two-goal advantage before Gillesphey nodded in the equaliser from another corner.
And the Cumbrians’ comeback was soon completed when Arthur Krysiak could only parry Hallam Hope’s shot into the path of Raynes. The result sees Yeovil stranded in the relegation zone, and boss Paul Sturrock made little effort to hide his disappointment. “We should’ve taken one or two of our other chances in the first half, then we had another couple in the second half,” said Sturrock.
“The goalkeeper has at least put his hands up and admitted that the last two goals were his fault.
“The injuries to our two defenders didn’t help, because we had nobody to cover that situation.
“I feel sorry for everyone at the club, because the first half was so promising, so for it to end up like that is a real kick in the teeth.”