Carlisle City lost their 100 per cent home record last night but are still unbeaten at Gillford Park.
An expected tough encounter with Boldon finished all square at 1-1, which was probably a fair result on the night.
After six straight home victories City knew this would be tough against a side with two of the division’s leading scorers in Taylor and Collins.
The Boldon defence included Harris Saunders, son of Wes, the former Newcastle United and Carlisle United captain. City made just the one change as Bradbury replaced Hartley.
Within the first 20 seconds, City were sloppy as a poor Bowman pass led to the first Boldon corner, and Townsley had to work very hard to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Yet from City’s first attack on three minutes came the first goal as Palmer’s right-wing free kick was headed in at the back post by Kirkup.
The early goal gave City a clear boost but it was flowing end-to-end football as a fine pass from Brannan just eluded the run from Palmer, and at the other end Olsen was on hand to clear inside his own box.
The Boldon keeper Hunter was to go on to enjoy a fine evening, and he made the first of many saves as he foiled Palmer on 13 minutes. Not to be outshone Townsley saved at the other end from Collins, twice in quick succession.
On 21 minutes, Seggie cleared a Boldon corner before a Collins cross was cleared by Bradbury, as City were struggling to impose their authority after the early goal, and Boldon rapidly grew in confidence.
In the 27th minute, Irving did well to block Hunter’s kick, and the keeper was lucky to see the ball bounce wide. Collins then saw his shot blocked and Palmer linked with Irving at the other end, but the Boldon defence snuffed out the danger.
Collins was increasingly influential as his cross troubled the City defence on 30 minutes and Bowman was forced to concede a corner, which was hit too hard by Collins.
In the 32nd minute, Collins scored a deserved equaliser as he curled his shot from 20 yards into the far corner for his 11th goal of the season. This was not without controversy though as there were strong City appeals that a hand was used just before the shot was taken, accidentally in the view of the referee.
Just before half-time a fine drive from Brannan was parried away by Hunter, and although Palmer slotted home the rebound he was flagged offside.
City did start the second half with more determination, as Palmer was flagged offside in a promising position, Irving blazed his shot wide and then Palmer forced the first of many saves from Hunter.
Palmer was enjoying a lively game as his cross was cleared by Saunders before the first booking of the game went to Collins after a foul.
On 54 minutes, Hunter saved well from Bradbury before the City man was fouled on 58 minutes but Palmer’s shot hit the wall.
Olsen shot too high on 59 minutes before Graham rattled the woodwork at the other end with a fine strike from distance.
A Boldon corner on 64 minutes was cleared with some difficulty before Simpson broke well down the right and his cross just needed a final touch. Hunter once again foiled Bradbury on 67 minutes before a home corner was cleared by Graham.
The second Boldon booking went to Saunders after another foul on Bradbury, and the resulting free-kick from Palmer looked goal-bound before Hunter got down low to his left to make probably his save of the night.
There was a late chance for Collins which deflected out for a corner and Townsley was forced to save from Saunders’ header before the finalwhistle.
City sit seventh in the Division Two table, six points behind leaders Heaton Stannington but with a game in hand. On Saturday the entertain Washington who are next to bottom with only four points.
