Carlisle City produced a remarkable recovery to earn a very good point from a 3-3 draw at in-form Guisborough in the Northern League First Division.
City were 3-0 down after 50 minutes but came back strongly to pull level and look the side more likely to win it by the end.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “It was a real good effort and the way theb game had panned out it felt as good as a win because they had been going well with only one defeat in their last seven.
“We continue to be hampered by injuries and from the team that started on Tuesday we only had five of them able to start with this one. I’ve never known an injury run like it in the time I’ve been at the club.
“So full marks to the lads who came in and did so well, especially as most of them haven’t played much first team football this season.”
City were a goal down inside seven minutes as Shaaban Mohammed put the home side ahead and although the game was fairly even Guisborough did add a second a minute before the break from James Fraser.
Although Carlisle came out in determined fashion at the start of the second-half it was Guisborough who scored again on 50 minutes with an own goal from Kieron Olsen.
“It looked game over but credit to the lads how they dug in and came back. Jordan Palmer came alive and helped create goals for Kingsley Grandison and Alex Cairns before he lobbed the keeper himself to make it 3-3 eight minutes from the end.
“Ton be honest we were the side that looked like winning it from that point but couldn’t quite manage it.
“Robbie Ivison is available after suspension on Tuesday when we go to Ashington and we might have a couple of the injured players back as well. Ashington are just about favourites to win the League so it’s going to be a tough one for us,” said Nichols.
