Match ends, Carlisle United 0, Cambridge United 0.
CarlisleCarlisle United0CambridgeCambridge United0
Cambridge ended a run of five defeats in all competitions on the road with goalless draw in a League Two game of few clear-cut chances against Carlisle.
The fact that neither goalkeeper had a direct shot to save told the story of the first 45 minutes in a game that lapsed into a battle for midfield possession.
Carlisle saw plenty of the ball in that area, but the build up was too deliberate to trouble a solid-looking rearguard.
George Maris provided one early threat for the visitors with a shot from the edge of the penalty area which drifted a yard wide of the right-hand post, while - near to half-time - leading scorer Sam Smith blasted a half-chance over the crossbar.
But the best scoring opportunity fell to Carlisle's Olufela Olomola in the 40th minute when a Nathan Thomas free-kick picked him out unmarked at the far post.
However, the striker could only bury his header into the side netting.
When U's goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was finally called into action in the 51st minute, it was to produce a fine save from Olomola's close-range header after Harry McKirdy had crossed from the left.
With a stalemate beckoning, Maris saw an effort deflected off target and a header across the face of goal by Carlisle's Ryan Loft gave the home side momentary hope of a winner.
Maris had another late chance to find the target from outside the area, but blasted the ball over the top.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Carlisle
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Collin
- 14Jones
- 23Branthwaite
- 5Mellish
- 3Iredale
- 11McKirdySubstituted forHopeat 72'minutes
- 4CarrollBooked at 70mins
- 8Jones
- 7Thomas
- 24OlomolaSubstituted forScougallat 62'minutes
- 25LoftBooked at 29mins
Substitutes
- 2Elliott
- 6Hayden
- 9Hope
- 10Scougall
- 17Webster
- 22Gray
- 28Sagaf
Cambridge
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Mitov
- 2Knoyle
- 16Darling
- 4TaftSubstituted forTaylorat 79'minutes
- 3Jones
- 7HannantBooked at 26minsSubstituted forO'Neilat 64'minutes
- 30RolesSubstituted forDallasat 38'minutes
- 10Maris
- 22LewisBooked at 39mins
- 11Dunk
- 20SmithBooked at 83mins
Substitutes
- 5Taylor
- 8O'Neil
- 9Dallas
- 24Norville-Williams
- 25Burton
- 26Knibbs
- 34Ward
- Referee:
- Seb Stockbridge
- Attendance:
- 4,041
Match Stats
Home TeamCarlisleAway TeamCambridge
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away0
- Corners
- Home4
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Carlisle United 0, Cambridge United 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Canice Carroll (Carlisle United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the right.
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Offside, Cambridge United. Greg Taylor tries a through ball, but Liam O'Neil is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Paul Lewis (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Daniel Jones with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by Gethin Jones.
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Offside, Cambridge United. Sam Smith tries a through ball, but Andrew Dallas is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. George Maris (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Paul Lewis.
Booking
Sam Smith (Cambridge United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Jarrad Branthwaite (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sam Smith (Cambridge United).
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Attempt blocked. Nathan Thomas (Carlisle United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Canice Carroll with a headed pass.
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Foul by Stefan Scougall (Carlisle United).
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Greg Taylor (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Jon Mellish (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Andrew Dallas (Cambridge United).
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Greg Taylor replaces George Taft.
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Jon Mellish (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by George Taft (Cambridge United).
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Foul by Canice Carroll (Carlisle United).