Carlisle United 0 Swindon 1

Nov 22 2009 Sunday Sun

THE Brunton Park ground staff received a huge pat on the back for turning the Waterworks End of the stadium, submerged in six inches of water 24 hours earlier, into a pristine playing surface in time for kick-off.

However, it looked like the sterling work was going to be made to backfire with just three minutes gone when Charlie Austin controlled the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.

He spun quickly and left his marker flat-footed as he drilled it beneath the stunned Lenny Pidgeley.

Carlisle boss Greg Abbott said: “The ground staff have worked hard to put this game on for us and we have not repaid them at all.

“It was a really poor performance and that is not something we can accept from this group of players.”

Gordon Greer wasted a gilt-edged chance to double the lead on 10 minutes, but he could only guide his free header from a Douglas corner towards the corner flag.

Joe Anyinsah had a great chance to level the scores on 13 minutes when he chested a high ball over the top into the box.

Greer stumbled, giving the striker a clear sight of goal, but he stabbed his effort wide accompanied by the grumbles of the crowd.

The Cumbrians stayed forward and a deflected Kavanagh volley had goalkeeper David Lucas scrambling as he managed to get enough on it to send it away.

The Robins were happy to sit deep, but they had they could have extended the lead on the stroke of half-time when Scott Cuthbert made an intelligent run for a Douglas corner.