The Blues fell to defeat in the Central League Cup against a Blackburn Rovers side which included several first team players returning from injury.
Striker Igor Tyjon and right-back Leonard Duru found the net either side of an Amario Cozier-Duberry hat-trick.
The opening ten minutes consisted of constant pressure from the visitors, controlling the game strongly in the centre of the park.
Cozier-Duberry looked to latch onto a through ball down the right as we ticked past the 10-minute mark, but the winger was deemed to have been offside.
On 12 minutes, Joe Rankin-Costello received the ball on the edge of United’s area before firing a left-footed effort wide of Gabe Breeze’s post.
Cozier-Duberry was involved again moments later, also seeing his shot from distance go wide.
Rovers broke the deadlock on 16 minutes after Igor Tyjon found himself through on goal, lashing beyond Gabe Breeze, before Cozier-Duberry doubled their advantage one minute later after finding the bottom corner.
On 23 minutes, the Blues had their first opportunity in front of the visitors’ goal. The ball fell to the feet of Dan Hopper, but the youngster was unable to find the back of the net from close range.
Leonard Duru came close to adding a third on 28 minutes and would’ve done so if it wasn’t for a brilliant block from captain, Jack Ellis.
For the remainder of the opening 45, Blackburn restored their authority on the contest, giving United minimal chances in their area.
Ellis came to the rescue for Carlisle again two minutes before the break, clearing Cozier-Duberry’s shot off the line after the attacker - who's on loan from Premier League side, Brighton - twisted and turned beyond several of the hosts’ defenders.
HALF-TIME: United 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn created the first big opening of the second-half six minutes in following a free-kick. A deep cross was nodded back inside by Kyle McFadzean to Rankin-Costello, but the latter was unable to get the vital touch to turn the ball towards goal.
Shortly afterwards, Cozier-Duberry netted his second and Blackburn’s third of the afternoon, firing a low effort across the face of goal into the far corner.
Close to the hour-mark, Trent Chapman unleashed plenty of pace down the right as he looked to forge an opening for the hosts, ultimately winning a corner, which the visitors defended well.
On 77 minutes, the referee awarded Blackburn a penalty after Dan Hopper brought down Brandon Powell. Cozier-Duberry completed his hat-trick from the spot, adding Rovers’ fourth of the day.
Prior to Leonard Duru adding Blackburn’s fifth eight minutes from time, tapping home a square ball from point-blank range.
FULL-TIME: United 0-5 Blackburn Rovers
Teams:
Carlisle United - Breeze, Chapman, Fitzpatrick (70’ Skinner), Ellis © (70’ Robinson), Atkinson, Nicholson, O’Donoghue, Neal, Dudik (65’ Hetherington), Lowes, Hopper (83’ Mason)
Unused subs - Randall
Blackburn Rovers - Toth, Duru, McFadzean, Litherland ©, Powell, Rankin-Costello, Buckley, Cozier-Duberry, Cantwell (65’ Edmondson), Stritch (74’ Bloxham), Tyjon
Unused subs - Khan, Doherty, Caddick
Goals:
Carlisle United - N/A
Blackburn Rovers - (16’ Tyjon), (17’, 53’, 77’ Cozier-Duberry), (82’ Duru)
