Two first-half goals from Notts County condemned United to another home defeat.
Alassana Jatta opened the scoring, lifting an attempt over Harry Lewis, before Scott Robertson hammered home from inside the area to double their lead.
The visitors looked to force their first attacking opening inside two minutes. Sam Austin’s cross from the right looked to find Jatta, but the attacker couldn’t connect and Archie Davies cleared the danger.
One minute later, the aforementioned defender surged forward on the counter after a Notts County corner, before finding Cameron Harper, whose shot on the turn was deflected off target.
Jatta broke the deadlock as the clock approached the 10-minute mark. A lofted ball forward evaded our deepest defender, Terell Thomas, prior to the forward lifting the ball over Harry Lewis.
On 13 minutes, Dominic Sadi came extremely close to equalising for the hosts after Luke Armstrong stole the ball from one of the Magpies’ defenders. After turning inside and out, United’s number 24 fired a powerful effort on goal which was saved by Alex Bass.
Four minutes later, Harper forced Bass into another smart stop after the left-sided defender fired a free-kick on target.
United’s next attacking chance came on 30 minutes, after Harper looked to find Armstrong with a whipped cross at the back post, but the visiting defender cleared.
The Blues’ lone forward would have another chance soon after, seeing a headed attempt drift agonisingly wide of Bass’ goal.
Robertson doubled their advantage on 34 minutes after the ball was pulled back from the byline following a cross from the right and he made no mistake, blasting home from close range.
On 38 minutes, Mike Williamson’s side looked to create a chance down the left, Jon Mellish’s delivery found Jordan Jones, whose effort didn’t trouble the Notts County ‘keeper.
HALF-TIME: United 0-2 Notts County
In the opening minutes of the second-half, Jatta looked to double his tally and make it three for the visitors after attempting an acrobatic shot, which was no danger to Lewis in Carlisle’s goal.
On 56 minutes, Jatta had another shot on goal after Notts County’s midfield carved through United with ease, but the attacker’s effort went well wide.
Harrison Biggins looked to pull one back shortly before the hour-mark, seeing his effort land the wrong side of Bass’ post.
Jones was next to fire on Notts County’s goal following a corner - Bass made the required stop once again.
Six minutes after entering the action, Charlie Wyke looked to head home an effort to reduce the deficit, but it was well defended by the Magpies.
United had their best chance of the game so far on 78 minutes. A mistake in the backline from Notts County, led to Harrison Neal and Jones both having efforts which were blocked heroically.
With ten minutes of regular time left to play, Harper saw his shot crash against the crossbar following a great cross from Jones on the left.
Another disappointing outing on home soil for United.
FULL-TIME: United 0-2 Notts County
Teams:
Carlisle United - Lewis, Davies, Harper, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Jones, Biggins, Vela (64’ Neal), Mellish, Sadi, Armstrong (64’ Wyke)
Unused subs - Breeze, Ellis, Robinson, Barclay, O’Donoghue
Notts County - Bass, Gordon, Bedeau, Platt, Crowley (83’ Scott), Austin, Palmer ©, Robertson (68’ Tsaroulla), Macari, Jatta (68’ Brown), Abbott
Unused subs - Slocombe, Cundy, Hinchy, Martin
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Notts County - (10’ Jatta), (34’ Robertson)
Match officials:
Referee - Zac Kennard-Kettle
Assistant Referee - Graeme Fyvie
Assistant Referee - Joseph Pettitt
Fourth Official - Ivan Stankovic
Attendance:
5,594 (407 away)
