Carlisle City produced a lacklustre performance in Northern League Division Two as they went down 2-1 at home to Blyth Town.
They had started promisingly for in an early raid top-scorer Palmer headed over from close range while in the sixth minute the visitors hit the side-netting through Walker.
A 13th-minute free-kick, awarded by a very fussy official, was to lead to Blyth’s first goal although it was a defensive disaster for City.
The free-kick appeared fairly harmless but was allowed to bounce over keeper Newton’s head before striking the cross-bar and dropping down to present Walker with the easiest goal of his life.
This sloppy passage of play from City continued and they were lucky to survive in the 16th minute when Slater’s shot struck the post.
However City should have levelled after 22 minutes when Gladstone appeared to let the ball run out of play only for Palmer to nip in but he missed an open goal. Uncharacteristically he spurned another chance as Gladstone rushed out well to block.
Newton saved from Slater in the 26th minute as City struggled to take hold of the game against spirited and lively opponents.
They did have a chance from a free-kick in the 35th minute but it was headed well wide by Kirkup.
City’s first corner of the second half, on 51 minutes, was easily cleared but Palmer’s cross three minutes later was much closer, just inching wide of the far post.
A free-kick for City was wasted as Palmer’s delivery was hit far too hard, and still the home side remained sluggish and lacking inspiration.
Blyth could have doubled their lead on 61 minutes but Newton came out well to block Slater’s shot as he ran clear. Atkinson fired wide from 20 yards before a Blyth free-kick led to a goal which was disallowed for offside.
A shot from Gibson then flew over and Slater fired wide as Blyth looked more likely to score again. This indeed happened on 72 minutes although, ironically, City had hit the bar before a sharp break caught out the City defence and Slater ran on to shoot past Newton.
The game looked over for the home side but there was a possible lifeline in the 80th minute when Palmer curled a fine shot into the top corner to reduce the arrears.
It could have been an awkward closing ten minutes for Blyth but they negotiated any pressure fairly easily. Their main scare was right at the death when City’s final corner was almost turned in at the far post by substitute Roberts.
