Ref makes life a bit of a Beech for angry Chris

CARLISLE manager Chris Beech felt robbed by referee

Seb Stockbridge after his side’s derby-day draw with Barrow.

Beech was left seething when Neal Eardley escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Lewis Alessandra in the first half.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the referee. I think he’s helped them out a lot there,” moaned Beech.

“However he wants to explain it, I’m not interested.

“He’s allowed a player to not be reffed. Of course Rob’s [Barrow boss Kelly] clever and he brings him off so he’s allowed 11 players on the pitch.

“There’s nothing I can do about that, but I’m pleased we can battle back from these negatives.

“When we first recovered from having the games off due to covid, that’s something that would definitely have hurt us at the time and I believe we would have lost that two months ago.”

The visitors struck inside three minutes as Jack Armer bagged his first senior goal as he headed home Callum Guy’s corner.

But star striker Scott Quigley restored parity in the 19th minute with a strike on the turn after Kgosi Ntlhe nodded Ollie Banks’ floated free-kick into his path.

And Patrick Brough completed a quick-fire five-minute turnaround as Quigley turned provider by charging down Rod McDonald’s clearance and teeing up Patrick Brough to fire home.

Aaron Hayden squandered a great chance to draw the visitors level when he nodded Guy’s pinpoint free-kick wide of the mark.

But James Jones handed the Cumbrians a lifeline when he hauled down Offrande Zanzala in the box with 11 minutes to go. And the visitor’s striker stepped up and sent Joel Dixon the wrong way to secure a point and deny Barrow their first Cumbrian derby win since 1960.

Battling Barrow remained six points clear of the dreaded drop zone.

And caretaker boss Kelly praised his side’s character after they overcame an early setback.

He said: “I was pleased with the character after conceding so early in the game.

“It would have been fantastic with a crowd in here, they would have really enjoyed it because both teams approached it to win it.”