CITY 3 CARLISLE 1

THE trip home from West Yorkshire will have been one of Carlisle’s shortest journeys.

When you sign up for the Cumbrians, as with Plymouth or Exeter at the other end of the country, you agree to a season of motorway marathons.

But the 100 or so miles from BD8 still offered enough time on the team coach for navel-gazing and contemplation after their latest away defeat.

I wonder if Byron Webster felt quite so cocky as they chugged back up the M6 empty-handed despite striking the opening blow at Valley Parade.

The former Millwall centre half had been all smiles earlier when he strolled to the sidelines after being treated for a head knock.

Taking the abuse of the home fans in his stride, he even cheekily flashed up a “1-0” with his fingers to remind them of that Wembley scoreline.

A strange history lesson from a defender in a League Two team who were losing at the time.

It’s not quite returning to the “dark ages” to recall the play-off final of 2017 but a distant reference all the same.

Not as distant as that quote that Steven Pressley had infamously spouted about Phil Parkinson’s playing style.

Well Carlisle boss Pressley certainly witnessed a throwback of sorts on his return to Valley Parade on Saturday – the return of the old-fashioned winger.

It was a back-to-basics approach that thrilled a City audience who have yearned to see somebody get “paint on their boots” and run at defenders again.

Step forward Dylan Connolly and Harry Pritchard; one direct with pace to burn, the other clever and probing with an eye for goal.

Together they powered City to an uplifting victory and left a few nightmares in Carlisle heads.

Jack Iredale can probably see the blurred image of Connolly rapidly hurtling towards him every time he shuts his eyes.

There were no airs or graces about the Irishman’s display. As he had done at Cheltenham four days earlier, he simply backed his raw pace to outrun the opponent.

It was an effective tactic that kept City on the front foot, even if one break proved too swift for his team-mates and he found himself primed to cross with no claret and amber shirt anywhere near.

From nutmegging Iredale in the opening minutes, Connolly seemed to have a ball from start to finish.

That enjoyment was replicated around the pitch as City delivered by far their most appealing display to date.

Bowyer had called on his side to show the same enthusiasm that had eventually overhauled Northampton and for the most part, he certainly got it.

Carlisle, admittedly, were obliging foes; particularly with their weakness from set-pieces.

But they still had a 10-minute spell in and around scoring the opening goal that did threaten to spoil the day.

While Iredale really struggled defensively, he looked far more confident on the ball. One early warning dart was missed and when he strode forward on the left again, he teed up Olufela Olomola for an angled finish past Richard O’Donnell.

But City, as the results are starting to back up, are made of sterner stuff these days.

The wish to see Callum Cooke in a starting line-up had finally been granted by Bowyer. Jermaine Anderson, scorer of the first goal against Cheltenham, did not even make the bench.

Cooke’s presence allowed Matty Palmer to thrive and show the quality that had only flickered since a promising pre-season. They also ensured a regular supply line to the flanks, where City would find their most joy.

The equaliser came from out wide, Kelvin Mellor’s cross falling for Pritchard to fire home with precision after the busy Clayton Donaldson had opened up a channel of space in the box.

Carlisle’s Jack Bridge, already on a yellow for pulling back Cooke, then saw red for a similar intervention on Pritchard.

The visiting meltdown continued as Nathaniel Knight-Percival, who had an unconvincing return to his old club, felled Connolly. Palmer’s free-kick was turned in almost apologetically by Mellor at the far post.

One more goal and the game was surely up – and City thought they had it soon after the break.

Connor Wood produced the cross of the match after Pritchard flicked a header on but James Vaughan was denied a goal by Adam Collin’s reaction save.

A goalline scramble ensued and Donaldson slid head-first into the net with a defender and the ball. The officials initially gave it, Carlisle’s defence were livid – and managed to convince referee John Busby with their vociferous protests to change his mind for a hand ball against the striker.

Slow-motion replays appeared to suggest that Donaldson had been pushed on to the ball by the momentum of his marker. It was unclear to see whether it had rolled against his arm before crossing the line but Carlisle had enjoyed a life.

Collin then denied Vaughan again and Donaldson’s flick at the rebound came back off the bar. Nothing, it seemed, would go in.

Moments later, Ben Richards-Everton launched into an unnecessary tackle on Iredale on the halfway line and was sent packing. Under current criteria, his lunge was deemed reckless and out of control.

Suddenly, there was inkling of doubt setting in with both teams reduced to 10.

Hearts were in mouths when Knight-Percival played in Nathan Thomas, whose cross-shot whizzed past the far post a little too close for comfort.

But, the odd moment of penalty-box pinball aside, City generally kept Carlisle’s resistance at arm’s length before settling any doubts deep into stoppage time.

Donaldson had put in a shift throughout and once more played his part setting up substitute Zeli Ismail for a step-over or two before driving fiercely beyond Collin.

Webster, taunted with every touch after his earlier pantomime, shared the same hang-dog look of his team-mates as Valley Parade bounced around them.

It was an afternoon for the City faithful to savour and the noise boomed.

As Bowyer put it, the bond between stand and pitch is growing stronger.

That is one throwback from the club’s past that has been long overdue.