Carlisle City crashed to a hugely disappointing 3-0 defeat at Brandon in Division Two of the Northern League.
The visitors had only won four home league games before this one but it really was a dreadful City display.
A sixth away defeat of the season underlines City’s problems on their travels.
The strong cross-field wind was inevitably going to cause problems for both teams but Brandon managed them better than their visitors.
City had the first attempt after three minutes as Holt’s shot was saved by Coombs and Hewitson shot wide at the other end for the hosts.
In the seventh minute, Palmer saw his free-kick cleared and both sides were predictably struggling in the conditions.
It was the 21st minute before any further action of note as Brown fired just over for the home side.
The first booking of the game looked very harsh but was given to City’s Irving after an innocuous challenge.
Two minutes later, Hewitson fired over from distance but in the 35th minute he was to put the home side ahead.
Ironically, City won a free-kick as Morris fouled Hartley but the clearance did not travel very far, and Kirkup’s attempted back-pass to Murray was short, allowingHewitson to intercept and score easily.
On the stroke of half-time, it was 2-0 to Brandon as a well-struck shot from Brownflew over the City keeper and into the net.
Half-time deficits are becoming all too common for this City side and there was to be no route back on this occasion, although there was improvement at the start of this half.
Kelly had an early cross cleared but a good run by Johnson caused some problems for the City defence.
Kelly was more involved in this period of the game and his cross in the 48th minute was awkward for Coombs.
City did create a chance on 54 minutes as Palmer’s cross found Simpson but the shot was weak and easily saved by Coombs.
Palmer had a free-kick opportunity on 56 minutes but a poor effort sailed over the bar. Kelly was closer soon after this, forcing Coombs into a good save.
City’s early impetus in this half began to fade, and Murray did well to save from Brown on 64 minutes.
There was a second City booking as Kirkup collided with Coombs and the icing was on the cake for Brandon when Hewitson converted a 90th-minute penalty.
