Although Carlisle United earned a point from a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood they sank to the bottom of League One.
The point did little for either side as they now occupy the last two places in the table with Carlisle a point adrift.
United manager Paul Simpson will have noted that this was exactly the ha;lf-way point of the season and his side are five points from safety.
But at least he can console himself in the belief that the new owners’ cheque book is going to help him recruit substantially in the new year – but they still have two games to play before then.
Carlisle had taken the lead on 27 minutes when a Fleetwood defender blocked a shot from Alfie McAlmont. Good fortune was on Carlisle’s side as the ball fell invitingly to Owen Moxon who obliged by firing past keeper Jay Lynch.
Eight minutes later the hosts drew level after a good move down the lefty between Phoenix Patterson and Josh Earl. From Patterson’s clever cross Jayden Stockley was able to force the ball over the line to level the scores.
There’s little doubt, however, that both sides are going to have to prove dramatically in creating and scoring goals for in this low-key affair chances were few and far between.
Probably the best two opportunities fell to the Cumbrians. Lynch denied former Fleetwood striker Ryan Edmondson with a smart save after Sean Maguire had set
Then when Edmondson robbed Lynch he tried to chip the keeper as he dashed back to goal but the ball went agonisingly wide.
