The Racecourse ground provided a great playing surface, and, with the sun shining the scene was set for 506 of United's travelling fans to enjoy a day of high drama against Wrexham.

Both sides started brightly and the ball buzzed from end to end. United's first real chance of the game came when Arnison picked out Holmes in space12 yards out, with a superb cross. Holmes' shot was parried for a corner by Ingham and the inswinging ball was cleared.

Arnison was again provider, feeding Homes 30 yards out, this time the striker sent a powerful shot just wide.

It certainly wasn't one way traffic and Wrexham had plenty of chances at the other end, with ex Rochdale and Accrington Stanley forward Lee McEvilly heavily involved in a lot of the action. The powerful striker ran down the left and cut in only to tangle with Livesey, the ball broke loose, deflected off Arnison to beat Williams, only to rebound off the post and back into the grateful keepers arms.

Walters let go a fierce shot from the right which was parried by Williams only as far as Roche whose shot was blocked by Livesey on the line.

Hawley broke clear and looked to be in on goal, only for Ingham to save with his feet.

A header by 6' 7" Dennis Lawrence caused Williams problems with a powerful shot that the keeper had to juggle from hand to hand before he could finally push it over the bar.

Kevin Gray was kept busy clearing three shots off the line the last, a fierce shot by Ferguson.

On 33 minutes Wrexham made their first change bringing on Spender for the injured Roche.

As the half drew to a close Holmes fed Hawley as he ran through into the box. Taking the ball to the bi-line he managed to manoeuvre round the keeper only for his shot to drift agonisingly across goal and out of play.

Half time 0-0

After a frantic first half with chances going begging from both sides, the second period began at a calmer pace with neither side creating much in front of goal. McGill forced a corner on the right which was taken by Simpson and parried out by the keeper back to Simpson on the touchline. He sent the ball back into the mix and this time it was cleared for a corner from the left, taken by Murray. Wrexham managed a more effective clearance resulting in a surging run by Walters, breaking into the Carlisle penalty area. Close sheepherding by both McGill and Arnison put enough pressure on Walters to give Williams the easy task of picking up the ball at his feet.

In the 62nd minute the already highly charged atmosphere boiled over with action that saw Wrexham reduced to ten men. Hawley had the ball at his feet and tried to turn with Wrexham defenders in close attendance. He slipped and with the ball trapped underneath him substitute Simon Spender rushed in with a dangerous two footed challenge. After the resulting melee had cleared the referee held up the red card to Spender in what seemed a clear cut decision.

Adam Murray and Simpson both stepped up to take the resulting free kick 20 yards out, Murray sent it low and hard towards goal and Ingham could only parry it sidewards to where McGill was lurking on the wing. Mcgill moved forward unchallenged to slot the ball home from close range. 1-0.

On 66 minutes Carlisle used the first of their substitutes, replacing Arnison, who had taken a knock. Murphy came on to slot into central midfield with Chris Billy dropping back into the right back position.

On 70 minutes Wrexham replaced McEvilley with Bennet and on 74 minutes United brought on Nade for Holmes. Four minutes later Wrexham swaped Williams for Mackin.

Nade's speed immediately began to have an impact on the game, he made a great run the down the right and then spurned the chance of shooting himself, squaring the ball across the box to Simpson in space but his shot was blocked before he could pu the trigger.

The final drama of the game came in the last minute of normal time. Wrexham were awarded a penalty after Lawrence was tugged back in the box. Walters stepped up to take the spot kick and fired low to his right, Williams guessed the right way and threw himself behind the ball, earning the congratulations of the Carlisle team.

Full time1-0 win.

This was an extremely tough match on a hot afternoon against one of the divisions fancied teams.There were chances for both sides to finish off the game. In the end it was the Carlisle side who took one of the chances and then battled as a team to make sure the three points came home on the team bus.  

Goals

United - McGill (63)

Bookings

Wrexham: Ingham, Jones, Bennet.

Sent off: Spender.

Teams

Wrexham: Ingham, Bayliss, Lawrence, Holt, Williams (Mackin), Walters, Ferguson, McEvilly (Bennet), Roche (Spender), Mark Jones, Pejic.

Unused Subs: Smith, Michael Jones,

Carlisle United: Williams, Billy, Livesey, Gray, McGill, Holmes (Nade 74), Hawley, Murray, Arnison (Murphy 66), Simpson, Aranalde.

Unused Subs: G.Murray, Hackney, Westwood.