Carlisle United were fortunate not to suffer their first defeat of the pre-season programme when they scraped a 1-1 draw at Chorley.
The National North side were much the better of the two for long periods of the game and but for a missed penalty would have enjoyed a deserved victory.
Justin Johnson had the first chance for Chorley and should have done better when he dragged his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
United were not passing the ball as they should, particularly in the first-half and when they gave away cheap possession again Jack Sampson put an instinctive lob just past the upright.
Chorley were close to taking the lead on 35 minutes when Harvey Smith jumped highest to meet a good set piece delivery and his header was going in until Ben Barclay cleared off the line.
It was somewhat against the run of play when United took the lead just before half-time when Taylor Charters picked a fine through pass for Jayden Harris who hit a first time shot past the home keeper.
Mark Ellis, a former Carlisle and Barrow defender came on as a second-Half substitute for Chorley playing as a trialist for Andy Preece’s side.
Chorley had the opportunity to level on 49 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Joe Garner was penalised for a raised arm.
Sampson decided to hammer it and although it beat Dan Langley it struck the bar before being cleared.
REACTION | Chorley 1 – Carlisle United 1 pic.twitter.com/L7nd6n1wEz
— Chorley FC (@chorleyfc) July 25, 2023
However it was only a short-lived let-off as within a minute Chorley had levelled with an excellent goal from the lively Johnson. His pacey run left two defenders in his wake before he swept in a masterly finish.
Langley made a decent stop on 63 minutes to keep out a shot from Oliver Shenton and then a good interception from Barclay prevented Sampson getting on the end of a Henley cross.
Will Tomlinson had a great chance from close range to win it for Chorley after Adam Henley whipped in a ball across the face of goal but he couldn’t even make contact.
There was another late chance for Chorley’s Cian Spencer-McDermott after he was left free in the area but he couldn’t work substitute keeper Gabe Breeze.
Carlisle did manage one last chance themselves but Owen Moxon ballooned the ball over the top when a good passing move left him with a shooting opportunity.
Carlisle United – Langley (Breeze 67), Barclay, Whelan, Kilsby, Ellis (Allan 67), Harris, McGeouch, Charters (Moxon 67), Robinson, Butterworth (Gibson 70), Garner (Edmondson 79).
