MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 3-2 Newport County

A phenomenal 93rd minute screamer from returning captain Danny Grainger gave Carlisle their first victory at Brunton Park in six games.

Despite a courageous display from a Newport side now faltering and two early strikes from Devitt being cancelled out, it was a sucker punch defeat, but they will take confidence from some encouraging football & fight-back mentality.

Returns to the starting lineup for Devitt and skipper Grainger boosted Carlisle – while Newport were looking to bounce back from a poor string of results.

Searching for their first goal & three points at Brunton Park in five consecutive games, a 3-5-2 formation benefitted the Cumbrians early on when a decent passage of play fell into the path of Devitt to poke home as the Exiles had had failed to stop the charge – surprising almost everyone inside a windy Brunton Park, who had observed a one-minute silence prior to kick-off.

Not long following the opener, somehow it was goal-rush as another strike came for Carlisle, when Devitt whipped in shot from the left (after some nice play from a corner) and Joe Day had drifted from his near post; but despite scrambling across, the ball had beaten the goalkeeper to nestle in the back of the net.

Pressure from Newport came for the remainder of the first half, while Jerry Yates missed a true sitter for the hosts shortly before the visitors pulled one back through Padraig Amond – nodding in a free header at the back post.

Some neat play from both sides ultimately flattered to deceive as the Cumbrians went into the interval with a shock lead over a lacklustre Exiles outfit.

Half-time: 2-1

The initial guilt-edged chance of the second half fell to Amond when he latched onto the unfortunate Anthony Gerrard’s header and went bearing down on goal on the left of the penalty area but smashed his effort across goal.

Both contingents made changes which livened-up the clash. Substitute midfield loanee Regan Slater hit an effort from distance which Day excellent tipped over as the real closing stages loomed.

Things got really interesting when Newport began to dominate, and an equaliser came when Richie Bennett gave away a cheap foul on the right-hand side of the box, leaving Matthew Dolan to whip in a cross. It was spectacularly saved by Adam Collin but Dan Butler hammered it in the back of the net as the 136-strong away section went into pandemonium.

There was a slight bounce-back by Carlisle although it was still the Exiles on top and they had a huge penalty appeal turned down. That flicked the switch for the Cumbrians as they charged on – with the ending written in the script.

As the home side bounded forward, a punched away cross dropped to Grainger; who unleashed an absolute rocket that rifled directly into the top corner (one of the finest clutch goals I have witnessed) – sucker punching the away team with a fairly low 3,405 Brunton Park faithful in ecstasy for what feels like the first time in an eternity.

A late free-kick was claimed well by Collin prior to referee Chris Sarginson blowing the whistle, ending an enthralling game with squandered chances, fan frustration, breathtaking moments and goal galore.

Full-time: 3-2

The visitors will come no doubt travel back feeling totally deflated as they drop to 6th while the hosts had Captain Marvel to thank as they rose to 11th place.

Attendance: 3,541 (136)

Home star man: Adam Collin/Jamie Devitt

Away star man: Joe Day/Tyreeq Bakinson

Referee: Chris Sarginson

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent