Carlisle United flopped at Brunton Park when they lost 3-1 to Woking, missing the chance to go top of the National League.
It was an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the promotion chasers that the Blues really meant business – and it had started well enough.
They led after 25 minutes before two goals just before the break gave Woking the advantage.
It was a lead they held right through the second-half, going on to add a third goal in the 90th minute to make it ten games without defeat.
For the Blues that ended a nine-match unbeaten run as they lost out what had been billed as a clash between the League’s two form sides.
Carlisle boss Mark Hughes wanted a fast start and he got it as his side were quickest out of the blocks and Chris Conn-Clarke hit the post in the opening minutes.
They seemed to be nicely set, too, when they went in front through Junior Luamba who finished clinically after being put through on goal.
But the half ended badly for Carlisle as Woking scored twice inside four minutes to give them the advantage at the break.
Jamie Andrews put his side level on 43 minutes with an outstanding effort from distance which went 0off the underside of the bar.
Two minutes into stoppage time Tunji Akinola was able to get on the end of a corner and steer it home.
Carlisle couldn’t strike back in the second-half and they even conceded a third goal in the 90th minute when Aiden O’Brien got away to score and send Woking up to ninth in the table.
United get a break from the National League on Saturday when they travel to Harborough in the FA Trophy.
