Carlisle United 1 Bournemouth 0

Mar 20 2011 Sunday Sun

CARLISLE United came out on top in their last home game before their trip to Wembley at the beginning of April.

That was due to a battling display against a feisty and frustrated promotion-chasing Bournemouth side which slumped to its third consecutive defeat as it failed to break down a determined Cumbrian side.

Manager Greg Abbott said: “The fans have stayed behind to give us a standing ovation.

“I think they might just be starting to understand what it is we are trying to do.

“It is my job in the near future to try to add players to the squad who may bring a bit of experience and quality.

“For now, though, I have to say I enjoy working with the group I have.

“In terms of what happened at Peterborough last week, we knew we had to turn it round quickly and we have done that.

“We can talk about character and spirit all day long, but it is the determination we have not to let people down which sees us through.”

Ben Marshall was the man showing form in the early stages, and he twice turned the defence to deliver testing crosses which had to be dealt with.

The same player drilled a firm goal-bound shot into Francois Zoko which rebounded just wide as Carlisle kept the pressure on.

Marc Pugh was first to get into it for the visitors and he pounced on a loose pass in midfield before carrying the ball forward to the edge of the box.

Adam Collin could only parry the shot as the inquest started into why he had been allowed to run so far.

The Cherries looked up for it and another mazy run from Pugh took him to the bye-line.

He hooked his left foot round the ball and was disappointed to see it spin just over the advancing Danny Ings.

Carlisle woke up and took control of the game once more.

Marshall had half a shout for a penalty waved away when he was pushed to the floor as he went shoulder-to-shoulder with Cooper.

A string of corners followed and Bournemouth’s inability to deal with them finally cost them dear when Berrett reacted first to a poor half- clearance.

His thundering volley took two deflections before veteran defender Peter Murphy stepped forward to crunch an unstoppable rasper past the hapless Jalal.

Murphy thought he had scored again on the stroke of half-time when he beat Jalal in a race to greet an inswinging Berrett free kick, but his header whistled just the wrong side of the upright.

The Cumbrians wasted another gilt-edged opportunity to double their lead on 61 minutes when Jalal spilled a regulation catch at his back post. Ben Marshall had an empty to goal to aim at, but he miscued his volley and the retreating Shaun Cooper was able to hook it away off the line.

The Cherries produced a late scare when Danny Ings found himself one-on-one with Collin.

However, he could not get the ball under control and his shot, although firm, was always heading off target.