United 1 - 1 York

United make Brunton Park return ...

The return to Brunton Park didn't quite go to plan as York weathered long periods of Carlisle possession to eventually steal in and nick a late equaliser as the hosts, having taken a first half lead, wasted chances to kill the game off.

Carlisle were quick out of the blocks and a deep cross from Miller had Ellis interested. The defender jumped high but Flinders dived long to make the save from the downward header.

A flick from Ibehre from a long Gillespie kick had Winfield off balance but Flinders scampered off his line to clear before Asamoah could get a touch. A poor clearance allowed Kennedy to shoot from distance but he dragged his effort well wide.

United kept the pressure on, with Asamoah busy on the right flank, and they got their reward on the quarter hour when midfielder Jason Kennedy kept his cool on the edge of the box. His first touch brought an awkward bounce under control and a feint to shoot took the central defender out of the game. A step over and second touch followed before the ball was clinically swept into the bottom corner.

York showed as an attacking force midway through the half when Oliver spun through two challenges in midfield. He fed it to Coulson and Raynes did well to make the block as the visiting shirts lined up inside the area.

Carlisle continued to look the more confident and Ibehre went close when he moved into space for a Miller free kick. He got a touch to it but it came off his shoulder and rose into the stands.

The home side found a real flow to their game ahead of the break, as Dicker and Hery pulled the strings, and a lovely move brought a difficult chance for Ibehre as Asamoah fizzed a delivery into the danger area. The big striker dived low but he couldn't keep his header down.

The second half started with a wild shot from Gillesphey as Winfield lost sight of the ball, and a spill from Flinders from a lobbed Miller cross kept things bubbling over in the visiting half.

A poor clearance from deep from Gillespie gave the Minstermen their first meaningful attack as Oliver was allowed to stride on. His shot took a deflection and it screwed well wide of the upright. 

A training ground free kick routine forced Flinders into a save as Atkinson started and finished a three-touch exchange with a low drive through the wall. A cut-back from Kennedy then created another good opening and Asamoah was a whisker away as he guided a low volley just past the upright. 

A through ball for Asamoah took him to the edge of the box and it needed a lunge from Summerfield to take the danger away as the forward went for the bottom corner. Gilliead was next to create as he blazed a route down the right flank with a blistering run. Ibehre called for it but he was disappointed as he pushed a tame shot right at the stopper. 

United should have wrapped things up on 75 minutes when Asamoah sent a wicked cross into the six-yard box. It was an open goal but Ibehre took his eye off it and he somehow sent his header back towards the corner flag.

The visitors had some good moments as they sent crosses into the box following the miss, and Oliver went close when he spun with the ball at his feet in the box. The shot was true but it took a touch and was diverted wide of the target. 

But it was a short reprieve as York grabbed a late, late point when Summerfield was first to react to a smashed shot from Galbraith which pinged back of the post. The midfielder pounced to send an accurate cruncher past Gillespie over the line off the inside of the post.

Ibehre hit the side netting in time added on but it was a frustrating end to the day as an opportunity to take all three points was spurned.

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Goals

United - Kennedy (15)

York - Summerfield (88)

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Bookings

United - Raynes (86)

York - Penn (51), Massanka (59), Oliver (90)

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Teams

Carlisle United - Gillespie, Ellis, Raynes, Atkinson, Miller (Gilliead 64), Kennedy, Dicker, Hery (Sweeney 84), Gillesphey, Ibehre, Asamoah (Hope 80). Subs - Hanford, Wyke, Comley, McQueen.

York City - Flinders, Ilesanmi, Coulson (Galbraith 75), Summerfield, Oliver, Penn (McEvoy 64), Cameron, Winfield, Massanka (Frewster 64), Dixon, Hendrie. Subs - Ingham, Carson, Swan, Hare.

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Referee - Mr Andy Haines

Attendance - 7,461 (327 away fans)
Read Time: 4 mins