Carlisle United 2 Gillingham 0

Feb 28 2010 Sunday Sun

Manager Abbott was sent to the stands for the second time this season on 39 minutes when he complained at length about the lack of protection afforded to defender Harte when Rene Howe appeared to catch him with an elbow.

And Harte exacted his revenge in perfect fashion at the other end when he took charge of a 19-yard free-kick and crashed it over the wall and into the top corner to register his 13th goal of the campaign.

Harte took his tally to 14 and doubled the lead shortly after the break when he placed the ball on the spot following a clear trip by John Nutter on the marauding Robson. Julian was nothing more than a spectator as the ball thumped into his top corner.

It was suddenly all about the Cumbrians and Robson was a whisker away from extending the lead further when he skipped into the area and unleashed a powerful drive, but the ball somehow edged wide.

The home side produced the move of the game on 67 minutes when Darryl Duffy held the ball up before finding Robson on the left flank.

His cross was perfect for Dobie, but the volley was thwarted by a sprawling dive from Julian.

Substitute Andy Barcham brought the best out of Collin between the Carlisle sticks at the other end when he curled one around Danny Livesey. The unsighted stopper tipped it away.

On 76 minutes Harte floated a near-perfect 25-yard free-kick over the wall. There was a wry smile on his face as it shaved the upright and stuck in the side netting. There were half chances at both ends as the game opened up, but it was job done for the Cumbrians.

Abbott concluded: “The players and the fans needed this. I’m delighted with the way we attacked and worked for a clean sheet.”