The Blues secured a point at Brunton Park following an entertaining goalless encounter against Colchester United.
Mark Hughes named an unchanged starting line-up from Tuesday night’s defeat to Newport County. The only switch came on the bench as Aaron Hayden replaced Sean Fusire.
Callum Whelan had the Cumbrians’ first attempt on goal inside eight minutes. Kadeem Harris did well to slip through the midfielder but his effort curled away from the far post.
Lyle Taylor should’ve opened the scoring at the opposite end from point-blank range, however, his powerful shot was straight at Gabe Breeze.
On 27 minutes, Harry Anderson struck an effort on goal following Madela Egbo’s pass from the right but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Teddy Bishop was next to try and break the deadlock, taking aim from a free-kick which was fired off target and no threat to United’s goal in front of the Warwick Road End.
McDonnell delivered a dangerous ball into United’s area in stoppage time but nobody was able to get the vital touch before Joe Hugill saw his effort saved by Colchester’s shot-stopper Matt Macey.
HALF-TIME: United 0-0 Colchester United
Three minutes into the second-half, Cameron Harper provided some great interlinking play with Elliot Embleton but the defender’s final cross was unable to find a teammate as the search for the opening goal continued.
On 54 minutes, Mark Hughes’ men showed great pace on the counter and the ball finally found its way to Whelan, whose effort from distance was calmly saved by Macey.
Stephen Wearne forced Macey into an exceptional low stop after chopping inside and firing left-footed towards the far corner to keep the contest even.
The heroics from the visitors’ goalkeeper continued on the hour-mark, this time denying Embleton from distance whose curling effort was destined for the top corner.
Breeze would then match that at the Blues’ end, preventing Taylor from finding the net once again, tipping over the bar brilliantly.
Anderson continued to cause issues to the hosts’ defence and had two opportunities in quick succession to open the scoring, but neither found the back of the net.
Whelan had the final shot on goal of the game, hammering on target from distance but the ‘keeper turned behind for a corner which wasn’t taken as the referee blew for full-time.
FULL-TIME: United 0-0 Colchester United
Teams:
Carlisle United - Breeze, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Hugill (46’ Dennis), McArthur (46 Hayden), Williams (45’ Harper), Wearne, Harris, Patching (62’ Robson), Whelan, Embleton (62’ Bevan)
Unused subs - Lewis, Scott
Colchester United - Macey, Iandolo, Kelleher, Flanagan ©, Anderson, Bishop (81’ Read), Payne, McDonnell, Egbo (69’ Vincent-Young), Edwards (74’ Gordon), Taylor (81’ Simpson)
Unused subs - Smith, Tucker, Aboh
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Colchester United - N/A
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United - (31’ Patching), (41’ McArthur)
Colchester United - (29’ McDonnell)
Red cards:
Carlisle United - N/A
Colchester United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Jeremy Simpson
Assistant Referee - Mark Dwyer
Assistant Referee - Matthew McGrath
Fourth Official - Daniel Smith
Attendance:
7,021 (261 away)
