Carlisle City ended 2021 in disappointing fashion with a 3-2 Northern League defeat at Boldon.
A run now of three defeats in the last four games is threatening to derail a promising season.
They were returning after a three-week break due to the effects of the last two storms and travelled reflecting that Boldon had looked a good side during the 1-1 draw at Gillford Park in October.
City handed a debut to centre-half Harry Atkinson who deputised for the suspended Dan Kirkup.
It has been a feature of recent games that City spurn early chances and it was the same again here as Irving ran clear in just the second minute but failed to beat Steavens in the home goal
Boldon won their first corner on 13 minutes and their second seven minutes but in between they had been the dominant side.
City keeper Murray made two saves in fairly quick succession to deny McLeod and it was against the run of play when City took the lead on 27 minutes.
Irving did well on the right and his excellent cross was finished well by Palmer from eight yards. Palmer then had a chance for a second on 34 minutes but his lob was wide.
However, it was 1-1 on 36 minutes as a right-wing cross was calmly volleyed in left-footed by the prolific Levi Collins who is Division Two’s leading scorer. He could have added a second but Murray saved well just two minutes later.
A City corner from Palmer on 41 minutes was met by Bowman but he headed wide from ten yards and just before the break, Boldon wasted a promising over-lap as after outnumbering the City defenders.
The fog, which had drifted around during the first half, seemed to thicken during the interval and visibility was seriously reduced during the second period.
However, this was hardly an excuse for City conceding within twenty seconds of their kick-off. The ball was played back to Bowman who, in turn, played a pass back to Murray. The ball took a horrible bobble off the pitch and Murray’s weak kick was gifted to Collins for probably his easiest goal of the season , and City were 2-1 down.
Irving’s shot was wide in the 66th minute before the first booking of the game went to Olsen after a foul just outside the City box. The resulting free-kick was fired wide by Graham.
A City corner on 70 minutes was met well by Atkinson and he was unlucky not to claim a goal which would have crowned an encouraging debut. The next City chance fell to Kelly and he should perhaps have done better than fire over the bar.
Boldon then looked to have sealed the three points in the 79th minute as Wright fired past Murray from 15 yards. A chance then fell to City’s Palmer running in from the right but his shot nestled in the side netting. Irving also failed to hit the target as home keeper Steavens was given an easy afternoon.
A City corner was headed over by Irving and it was all too late when Bradbury did beat Steavens deep into injury time.
