Carlisle United survived a late charge by Tranmere Rovers to make the second round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 home win.
It followed last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Tranmere in League Two and again emphasised Carlisle’s growing confidence and increasing depth of the squad.
It was only when the Blues had gone 2-0 up after 66 minutes that Tranmere really came positively into the game and United had to defend grimly in the closing stages when the visitors pulled one back.
But earlier, particularly in the first half, Carlisle had been far the better side and always looked to be capable of scoring.
Despite having to go into the tie with two important front men in Kristian Dennis and Jack Stretton, Paul Simpson’s men posed problems.
They had almost opened the scoring after 17 minutes, when Jon Mellish’ first just wide after Jordan Gibson’s shot had been blocked.
The goal did come after 30 minutes and it was a fumble by Tranmere keeper Ross Doohan when he couldn’t hold Tobi-Sho Silva’s shot that allowed Gibson to follow up and fire home.
Tranmere hadn’t really threatened but they did believe they had equalised soon after the break when former Carlisle loanee Dynel Simeu beat Tomas Holy in the air to head home but he was judged to have fouled the home keeper.
Substitute Jayden Harris scored Carlisle’s second goal in the 66th minute after being sent through by Taylor Charters. He got the ball past Doohan but then had to poke out a long leg to steer it over the line as a defender got back to try and scramble clear.
Tranmere gave themselves a possible lifeline in the 82nd minute with a well-worked free-kick. Although Holy palmed away the shot it looped kindly for the onrushing substitute Neil Byrne who headed home.
