Carlisle United were beaten 2-1 at Rochdale in their latest pre-season work-out – their first defeat in the warm-up matches.
United were 2-0 down before substitute Dan Butterworth pulled one back after 72 minutes but they couldn’t gain parity.
A lack of a cutting edge was a major concern in last season’s relegation and it looked as though this was still a problem in this latest work-out against the National League side.
They had their first opportunity after five minutes when a poor clearance fell to Ethan Robson on the edge of the box but he fired wildly over the top.
A few minutes later Harrison Neal had the second opportunity after a short goal-kick from Rochdale had been intercepted but the midfielder rushed his effort and it flew wide.
However the best chance in the first quarter of the game fell to Rochdale on 14 minutes when Devante Rodney crashed his shot against the post after an error from Blues defender Aaron Hayden.
Robson put in a dangerous cross into the Rochdale box which begged to be finished but there was no-one there to take advantage.
Soon after Robson was substituted by Dylan McGeouch for what looked to be precautionary.
Josh Vela was shown a yellow card on 33 minutes for an over-zealous challenge on Harvey Gilmour and although Carlisle continued to huff and puff it was Rochdale who took the lead on 41 minutes.
Kairo Mitchell tapped home from close range after a driving run from Gilmour ended with a lovely ball for his team-mate to finish with ease.
Early in the second half Rochdale doubled their lead when Aaron Henry rifled a free-kick from the edge of the area into the top corner.
That sparked a series of changes for the Blues as they went in pursuit of a goal to get back into the game.
But play had reached the 72nd minutes before the newly-introduced Butterworth gave United hope of salvaging the game. Out on the left he twisted, turned and fired with the ball flying into the net off the post.
Gabe Breeze had to come to Carlisle’s rescue, getting down low to save a good effort from a trialist for Rochdale.
Carlisle had one late opportunity to snatch a draw but Luke Armstrong was unable to connect with a good delivery into the home box.
United had to play the last few minutes of added time with ten men as they had used all their subs when Terell Thomas went off with an injury.
Carlisle United – Lewis (66’ Breeze), Davies (60’ Ellis), Harper (60’ Charters), Thomas (90’ withdrawn – no replacement), Hayden (61’ Barclay), Robson (31’ McGeouch), Kelly (46’ Armstrong), Wyke (66’ O’Donoghue), Vela (66’ Butterworth), Neal (73’ Lavelle), Mellish
Unused sub – Smith
