Match report from the Tuesday night home game
United and Luton went toe-to-toe in an exciting game but neither could find a way through as they eventually worked their way to a draw and a share of the spoils.An early error in midfield gave Hylton half an opening but Gillespie was off his line quickly to force him away from goal. The Hatters stayed forward and a harsh decision from referee Lee Mason for a well timed Brisley sliding tackle handed Sheehan a chance to go for goal from a 24-yard free kick. He went for glory but it dipped over the bar.
United responded with a quick move forward as Adams found Shaun Miller in space. Grainger took over with a high cross but Lambe's attempted recovery was cut out as he tried to feed it across the face of the target.
A stinger of a shot from Joyce was charged down as he latched on to a poor clearance and the rebound gave Luton another opportunity to break. Hylton pulled wide and called for it and he wheeled away in frustration as his drilled cross begged for someone to finish it off.
Good play wide on the left saw Shaun Miller and Proctor keep a half cleared corner alive and Adams stayed deep until he spotted a route through. He went for a shot as he reached the edge of the area but Macey was there to scoop it up.
United went close again when Tom Miller zipped a long throw into the area. Brisley flicked it on but it dropped onto the roof of the net under the watchful eye of the keeper.
Another long throw caused the visitors all kinds of problems as it skipped past two defenders. Proctor controlled the bouncing ball with his head but Macey spread himself to stop the follow up volley on the line.
More neat flank work gave Adams the momentum to take on his man and he didn't disappoint as he rasped another great cross into the mix. Lambe was close, but O'Sullivan beat the floor in disappointment as he rattled a wild volley high into the air.
The Blues looked more than up for it and Shaun Miller was denied a goal when his 20-yard shot deflected off a boot and curled over the bar.
Liddle did well to block a snapshot from Hylton late in the first half in front of the Warwick and the same defender had to concentrate when the corner came straight at him at the far post. He kept his eye on the ball and calmly hooked it away.
Carlisle kept the pressure on after the break with probing from Proctor, Lambe, O'Sullivan and Shaun Miller and Nicky Adams wasn't too far away as he sprinted to get something on a half clearance from his own corner delivery. He was slightly off balance and he couldn't keep his effort down.
A well worked corner routine left Grainger with options and some of the crowd were fooled as he thundered a great attempt into the side netting.
Hylton and Gambin put the ball over as Luton enjoyed a good spell and Gillespie had to save low to his right when Sheehan squeezed a free kick through the wall. Excellent defending from Brisley stopped Rea from poking it into the waiting net as he bravely blocked twice at very close range.
Carlisle had to defend their lines as the Hatters grew in confidence and Gillespie produced a wonderful save when Hylton somehow pinged a blistering toe poke through bodies. The stopper saw it late and he did well to get his fingertips onto it and divert behind to safety.
The game was stopped as Dan Potts received treatment for a head injury with 20 minutes left to play and he was stretchered away after a prolonged period of attention.
New arrival James Hooper tried to make his mark with a 20-yarder as he dropped a shoulder and let fly and a sweeping break, started by a perfect pass from Proctor, ended in disappointment as Adams missed his touch at the crucial moment.
And that was that as the sides slugged their way through ten minutes of added time without quite managing to create a clear cut opportunity.
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Bookings
Carlisle United - Joyce (20), Brisley (57)
Luton Town - Hylton (6), Lee (17)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, T Miller, Liddle, Brisley, Grainger, O'Sullivan (Waring 84), Joyce, Lambe, Adams, S Miller (Hooper 82), Proctor. Subs - Crocombe, Ward, Salkeld, Holt, McQueen.
Luton Town - Macey, O'Donnell, Potts (Justin 79), Hylton, Cook, Rea, Mpanzu, Lee, Vassell (Marriott 65), Gambin (Palmer 86), Sheehan. Subs - Moore, Smith, D'Ath, Famewo.
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Referee - Mr Lee Mason
Attendance - 4,052 (377 away fans)
