Carlisle United had to work hard to get through their Isuzu FA Trophy tie at Southern League Harborough Town with a 2-1 victory in front of a 1,726 crowd.
It needed a penalty save by Harry Lewis and some determined defending in the last 20 minutes after the hosts had pulled a goal back.
The penalty had given the home side an opportunity to go in front after 13 minutes following a scuffle in the Carlisle box but Ben Stephen’s effort was kept out by Lewis, saving well low down.
At the other end home keeper Elliott Taylor did exceptionally well to make a fingertip save to keep out a clever header from Callum Whelan soon after the penalty miss.
in the 17th minute, with the United midfielder’s deft header looking destined for the bottom left corner.
United went in front on 28th minute when Sam Murray drilled home a free kick from Alex Gilliead, giving Taylor no chance.
The Blues doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Luke Armstrong chased a long ball over the top, and when he pulled the ball back Regan Linney had a simple tap in.
Harborough made it interesting though in the 69th minute when Elliott Dolman got on the end of a cross to head past Lewis.
That sparked a frenzied effort by the home side as they continually tried to get the ball into the Carlisle box, testing their resilience to an aerial assault but they saw it through to the end.
