County Finally Stop The Rot

County grabbed a vital point at Brunton Park today in an eventual 10 vs 10 match that finished 0-0 come full-time.

And as the final whistle went and the Football League Show and Sky Sports crew rushed onto the pitch to interview the understandably delighted Gary Ablett, he turned and waved to the 400 plus travelling County fans before hopping over to assistant Hughie McAuley with a high-five for a potentially massive point in the battle against relegation for the Hatters.

The run was halted in it’s tracks just before the unlucky number 13, and now for Tuesday…bring on the County reserves. Jim McNulty, Dicko, Tunnicliffe, Gary Dicker and probably some more that I’ve forgotten will all be back at EP for the visit of Brighton & Hove Albion. Presumably jaded by their 3-2 defeat at Villa Park in the FA Cup today.

The Hatters will be without on-loan Jabo Ibehre though who will serve his one-game ban for a two bookable offences sending off today, about 10 minutes after County had gained the numerical advantage when substitute Scott Dobie was sent off for an attempted punch on defender Danny Swailes.

While the game was dominated possession-wise by the hosts, County had the best chances to win the game through Ibehre early on.

The MK Dons striker firstly should have found the net for County when a good cross from Partridge found it’s way to Jabo, and his header should have tested keeper Colin more than it did.

Carlisle were threatening on the break though, former County loanee Kevan Hurst went the closest when his 20 yard effort rattled the post.

It was a game of little chances, but it sparked into life in the second half thanks to the ineptitude of the referee and his assistants yet again.

A seemingly sure-fire penalty for the Cumbrians was denied by the ref after Michael Rose had hauled down Dobie ala Dany Pilkington conceding the penalty on Tuesday night.

On the back of this decision, Dobie took offence and took a swipe at Rose who went down clutching his face. Dobie was off, but you have to say it was harsh AND all down to the referee in the first place.

And as so often happens with these Sunday League-style referees, they feel obliged to even it up and send off an opposing player.

This time it was Jabo’s turn to be the fall-guy, but you have to say it was silly of him. On a booking already, he went in high and late on Ian Harte and that was that, not before a few choice words for Harte by the big man.

Jemal Johnson was left to fend for himself from then on up front, and he could have won the game for the hatters with three minutes to go. Danny Pilkington slid a neat through ball into JJ, but he slipped at the crucial moment and the ball flew horrendously wide for a throw-in.

But it was the Cumbrians who should have won it, cruelly, in the last minute of the 4 minutes allowed for stoppages. The ageless Kavanagh got clear of the Hatters defence as Swailes slipped, and his fierce drive was superbly saved by fon Williams, reminiscent of the OFW of old with a brilliant tip round the post. The Football League Show did a piece on County today, so if you get the chance, tune in tonight because it was a stunning save.

And as the full-time whistle went, Ablett was straight over to the County fans with Jemal Johnson and Michael Raynes leading the pack. You have to feel delighted for Ablett and his back-room staff, a dreadful run halted with a solid point away from home.

Animo Et Fide!