Carlisle United 3
Redditch United 1
THERE will be no dream run in the FA Trophy for the Reds as Carlisle got the upper hand in dire conditions at Borough Park.
With the game shifted to Workington Town's Northern Premier ground after Carlisle's Brunton Park was still submerged in floodwater the tie was odds on to be a leveller and it proved to be.
Reds keeper Richard Anstiss was recalled after a broken finger but Asa Charlton's late fitness test wasn't enough to earn him a place in the starting line-up and Matty Gardiner came in.
Despite the changes the Reds started well and were a goal up inside eight minutes. Carlisle's Lee Andrews upended Scott Rickards two yards outside the box and Simon Hollis showed his deadball skill to arrow home his right foot shot around the wall and just inside the post.
But as the Reds fans were contemplating the upset of the round Carlisle equalised through Worcestershire born, former Crystal Palace striker Andy Preece three minutes later. The Carlisle marksman latched on to a half clearance by the Reds defence and hammered home.
The difference in leagues was barely noticeable and Norman Sylla was odds on to score after 14 minutes when Gardiner set the pacy frontman free. Sylla rounded the keeper but didn't have enough power in the shot to stop Danny Livesey clearing off the line.
The Reds looked as they had managed to keep the sides level at half time but Livesey was on hand to give his side the vital goal two minutes before the interval.
Preece's goal-bound free kick from the edge of the area was brilliantly beaten out by Anstiss only to see Livesey follow up the rebound.
After the break the Reds again started like they did the first with Hollis making himself a nuisance with a 35-yard chip which needed a tip over by Matthew Glennon in the Carlisle goal.
Sean Flynn should have netted after getting in front of his man from a Hollis cross but his shot went narrowly wide on 58 minutes.
Carlisle pushed on and put the game beyond the Reds with their third on 64 minutes. Preece again provider to Karl Hawley who headed past substitute keeper Dean Coleman.
But the Walsall loan stopper made amends ten minutes before the final whistle as he stopped a Preece penalty awarded after Andy Penny scythed down Carlisle substitute Craig Farrell.
n Redditch United: Richard Anstiss (Dean Coleman 46), Matty Clarke, Matty Gardiner, Andy Penny, Gary Knight (Mark Taylor 55), Sean Flynn, Simon Hollis, Frazer McHugh, Norman Sylla, Scott Rickards, Danny Scheppel (Richard Softley 72). Subs not used: Asa Charlton, Neil Manton.
Referee: Matt Doy
Attendance: 912
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article