All to play for

In what was possibly the worst forty five minutes of football seen at Brunton Park from Carlisle United, Blues struggled to make any impact on a resolute defensive Notts County formation. Passes frequently went astray as the home side seemed to suffer from a case of pre promotion nerves in front of a willing home crowd of 10,735.

When County striker Steve Scoffham lobbed past Keiron Westwood and into the United net on 24 minutes it came as no real surprise as Blues looked shaky all over the pitch. As the game drew close to half time and with United trailing, things looked anything but positive. It was a time for a leader to show their face or form, up step Michael Bridges to fire an unstoppable 25 yard volley into the Notts County net to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half improved slightly as United slowly began to force the pace and put County back on the heels. Simon Hackney was introduced with thirty minutes remaining and the game still looked to be anybody?s. Hackney offered more pace and width but overall United flattered to deceive and failed to force the visiting goalkeeper ? Pilkington into any further action. A big crowd eager to celebrate left Brunton Park without a party to celebrate.

Elsewhere Northampton defeated Stockport County to keep pressure on Blues and Wycombe?s demise continued with an awful
0-3 defeat to Lincoln City. Leyton Orient drew 0-0 with Grimsby Town. So the celebrations are still on hold ? it may well be that United have more to cheer about at Mansfield Town this coming weekend