Swindon Town 2 Carlisle Utd 2 

Dominant Town left frustrated as late keeper error gifts visitors a point

 

Coca-Cola League One

 

RESULT: Swindon Town 2 Carlisle Utd 2

 

Swindon scorers: S Cox 61, B Sturrock 80

Carlisle scorers: M Bridge-Wilkinson 54, P Murphy 86

 

A late equaliser from Carlisle defender Peter Murphy denied Swindon what would have been a much deserved three points – in arguably Town's best performance of the season.

New boy Michael Timlin came straight into the side to replace the injured Chris Allen and his composure on the ball seemed to have a positive effect on the rest of the side.

Second bite of the cherry: Simon Cox equalises for Town, after having his first shot blocked calyx multimedia

 

Goals from the energetic Simon Cox and the tireless Blair Sturrock looked to have given Swindon the victory their endeavour and quality play deserved.

Carlisle have their keeper Kieran Westwood to thank for their point as it was he who kept them in the game on a number of occasions.

In the first half, the young stopper made a string of saves to allow his team to go into the break level, most notably from Blair Sturrock and Anthony McNamee.

 

Frustrating: the Carlisle keeper saves a shot from Craig Easton calyx multimedia

The tricky winger was at his influential best as he delivered a number of top draw crosses throughout the game.

However, it looked like Town were going to be made to pay for their apparent lack of fire-power, as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson latched onto Grant Smith's floating cross to give Carlisle the lead – right against the run of play.

Fightback

Thankfully for the vocal home crowd the goal didn't seem to stop Swindon attacking intent and they were rewarded only minutes later as Simon Cox broke his recent scoring drought as the plucky striker found the net at the second time of asking.

Town continued to impress and looked far more likely to be the ones who would go on and win the game.

 

Thunderbolt: Blair Sturrock fires Town into the lead, before celebrating (below) calyx multimedia

As the match moved into the final 10 minutes, a long Peter Brezovan clearance was allowed to bounce by the Carlisle defence and having out-muscled the defender, Blair Sturrock smashed the ball past the helpless Westwood to give Swindon the lead.

The goal was no more than the striker deserved and capped a performance that was undoubtedly his best in a Town shirt.

 

Keeper error

Unfortunately, Malpas' men were unable to see out the final minutes as a late error by the Town goalkeeper gifted Carlisle a point.

 

Brezovan letting a centrally-directed Peter Murphy header from a corner skid through his legs when it looked like he had it covered.

 

A rare mistake that ultimately cost a dominant Town the win - and realistly dashed their faint hopes for a play-off place.

 

With nine games to go, the all-important sixth place is now eight points away.
 

The League One Table

 

1 Swansea 36 33 74
2 Doncaster 37 22 68
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3 Carlisle 36 19 68
4 Nottm Forest 36 23 59
5 Southend 37 9 58
6 Walsall 37 12 56
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7 Tranmere 38 7 56
8 Leyton Orient 38 -4 56
9 Brighton 36 8 55
10 Leeds 37 25 54
11 Northampton 38 4 54
12 Oldham 38 8 53
13 Hartlepool 38 2 49
14 Swindon 37 1 48
15 Huddersfield 37 -16 46
16 Bristol Rovers 34 0 45
17 Yeovil 38 -15 45
18 Millwall 38 -14 43
19 Cheltenham 38 -18 43
20 Crewe 38 -18 40
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21 Gillingham 37 -28 36
22 Bournemouth 38 -17 29
23 Luton 37 -14 28
24 Port Vale 38 -29 26

 

NEXT GAME

 

Brighton (a)

Saturday 22 March 2008, 3.00pm

Coca-Cola League One