Brunton Park, Sat 22 Feb, 3pm, Lge 2.

Windy February continues as we encounter another gale force day at a flooded Cumbria, but happily the barriers keep the excellent Brunton Park pitch in top condition.

We lose the toss and kick into the teeth of the gale, both sides taking time to settle. Slew releases Cranston on the left who makes ground, crosses low to Cole who touched, swivels and shoots past a diving Collin to give us the lead on 18. This gave us confidence, a couple of corners were repelled and we broke to get a corner of our own. The swirling wind caused havoc, Cole had a shot blocked, it was dropping 20 yards out to Wildig on his wrong foot, he volleyed high past Collins for 2-0. The travelling 562 ( excellent away turn out on an awful day) were in dream land.

As the half wore on, the Cumbrians pressed and corners were cleared, one in particular curled viciously and Mafoumbi did well to palm away. A long range effort went close but we managed to keep them at arms length. That was until the last minute, Cooney slightly misjudged a long ball, Patrick trapped and his cross shot cannoned in off the far post to reduce the deficit. HT 1-2.

Any hopes we had that we could us the wind to our advantage were dashed as Carlisle kept the ball to feet and used the width well to dominate proceedings. A string of corners were repelled but on number seven, Hayden lost Big Dave to head home unchallenged to deservedly even things up.

The home side went for broke, but changes came and we re-asserted ourselves to finish the stronger. Cole slipping his man only to pulled back when through, the free kick was high and wide and the chance had gone.

Yes it was disappointing for a change to lead and let it slip, but before the game we would have taken a point, and with Macc and Cheatenage losing, the gap widened and we jumped up a place.

Onwards, only Crewe at home next week, what can possibly go wrong??