Cumbrians secure another round robin win ...
Carlisle registered their second win of the group stages of the Checkatrade Trophy with a hard working and ultimately successful performance.United passed the ball well from the kick off but Blackburn created the first opening when Stokes forced Lambe off the ball in midfield. He ran forward but his curled shot was easy for Crocombe as it bent weakly into his hands.
A free kick from deep from Devitt found a near post run from Shaun Miller but he was well marshalled and his touch under pressure took it safely behind. A high dropping ball was then taken down expertly by Ibehre but his attempted volley hit a defender and Raya was able to save.
Rovers worked a way down the right flank with Mahoney as they tried to pick up the pace but Joyce tracked back to send the cross behind. The corner was a dangerous one but Kennedy kept his eye on it and he was eventually able to hook it away.
Carlisle started to settle and a half clearance from a Tom Miller delivery fell nicely for Shaun Miller on the edge of the area. His shot needed an intervention and Tomlinson's touch took it over the bar.
The set piece caused problems and Shaun Miller had time and space to spin and shoot from close range. Raya did well to move his feet and dive long to make the near post save.
United went close again when Devitt floated a free kick to the back stick. Tom Miller jumped high but his header crashed off the top of the bar as a whistle went for an unseen infringement.
More good work from Mahoney for Rovers gave him the yard he needed to drill it low as he worked his way to the touchline. Brisley stretched his leg and completed the much-needed clearance.
A long range effort from Stokes bobbled well wide as the game struggled for goalmouth action but Carlisle had an effort ruled out for offside when Lambe found Ibehre with his back to goal. His touch was perfect for Shaun Miller but the early flag cut the celebrations off at source.
Tomlinson tested Crocombe with a stinging 30-yard drive as the half time break approached but the keeper was equal to it as he jumped up to tip it over the bar.
The Cumbrians took the lead with the next attack when Lambe strode through the middle of the park. He used Devitt to rip a way through and the final pass gave Shaun Miller the chance to continue his rich vein of form. A quick look and a lovely dink left the keeper with no chance.
Carlisle suddenly looked confident and a quickly taken throw from Grainger left Kennedy with time to spare. He struck his 22-yard volley well but it dropped the wrong side of the upright.
Midfielder Luke Joyce thought he'd finally claimed his first goal for the club on the stroke of half time when he stayed deep for a set piece delivery. His first touch trapped it and he couldn't believe his luck as his thunderbolt rattled the base of the post.
Devitt recovered the loose ball and Raya had to readjust to palm a downward header from Brisley back into the mix as it threatened to creep in at his near post.
Carlisle started the second half on the front foot and a pass inside from Devitt sent Ibehre into a decent area. He held play up and returned the pass but the early shot from Devitt was always rising high.
A low cross and a late arrival from Bennett at the other end brought a scare and Brisley didn't know too much about it as his heel stopped the ball in its tracks. Carlisle responded with a long run from Ibehre and he found Kennedy as blue shirts poured forward. The shot was a good one but Raya watched it all the way.
United found some composure with a flowing move and Grainger had a range of options when he took it into the box. The cut back was met by Ibehre but Wes Brown did enough to divert it over the bar. Keeper David Raya then stunned everyone when he somehow stopped Ibehre’s header from the set piece on his goal line.
It was end-to-end for a spell and Bennett was frustrated as he shot from 18-yards with a clear sight of the target. It hit a defender and that took it wide.
Reggie Lambe was wasteful when Joyce put him through with a slide rule pass when he probably had more time on his hands. He had strikers screaming for the ball but his shot from the angle rose high and wide.
Blackburn were gifted a chance when a weak pass out from Crocombe was pounced on by Bennett. Another fast exchange left Tomlinson with a sprint but he couldn't keep his header down as a decent cross came in.
Mahoney then tested Crocombe with a cross-shot which had to be scooped away as it dipped under the bar, and Stokes tried his luck from 40-yards with a fizzed effort which went right down the keeper's gullet.
Substitute Charlie Wyke had the home crowd worried as he held his knee following a back flick, but that led to a lovely moment for second-year scholar Cameron Salkeld as he made his first team debut.
The youngster had a chance to really make his mark as Kennedy lofted a cross towards him, but he was off-balance and his header went back across the face of goal.
But he received pats on the back all round as he was dumped to the floor by Wes Brown inside the area and Danny Grainger put the game to bed with a perfect spot kick.
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Goals
Carlisle United - S Miller (39), Grainger (88 pen)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Crocombe, T Miller, Brisley, Ellis, Grainger, Lambe, Kennedy, Joyce, Devitt, S Miller (Wyke 68, (Salkeld 79)), Ibehre (McKee 89). Subs - Gillespie, Atkinson, Adams, Brough.
Blackburn Rovers U21 - Raya, Stokes, Nyambe, Tomlinson, Mahoney, Brown, Bennett, Wharton, Doyle, Hardcastle, Mansell. Subs - Fisher, Travis, Howarth, Platt, Grayson, Rankin-Costello, Magloire.
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Referee - Mr Richard Clark
Attendance - 1,253 (49 away fans)
