Live from Brunton Park, Lee Rooney brings you blow by blow action from today's League One game against Millwall. Keep pressing refresh on your browser to read the latest update.
CARLISLE UNITED 2 (Kavanagh 7, Thirlwell 50) MILLWALL 0 FT
1658: A heroic effort from the lads in Blue today, ending a long run without a win by mostly dominating a game against play-off hopefuls Millwall. With Northampton losing at Leeds, it's Brighton, United and Hartlepool who stay in League One next season. Thanks for following the the Minute by Minute reports this season, while the results haven't been so good. Here's to a better campaign next time around and once again, thank you to all the the brilliant support the team have received this season. Now you really are going to believe us, the blues are staying up!
BE JUST AND FEAR NOT!
UNITED STAY UP IN LEAGUE ONE!
FULL-TIME - CARLISLE UNITED 2 (Kavanagh 7, Thirlwell 50) - MILLWALL 0
90+5 min: Anyinsah wins a long ball and it falls to Graham, who takes a touch and sends his shot just wide of the post.
90+4 min: The United fans in the Main Stand are singing "The Blues are staying up!" Only one minute to go now.
90+3 min: Northampton have lost 3-0 at Leeds! United just need to hold on.
90+2 min: United are desperately keeping the ball in the corner infront of the Millwall fans. This is very very tense.
90 min: There's going to be 5 minutes of added on time at the end of the game. There's not much left of my fingers nails now...
88 min: Millwall go close to making it 2-1, as Price hammers in a low cross but Abdou turns it wide when it was easier to score. Kav's got the sponsors man of the match, can't argue with that one, although Dobie and Thirlwell have both had good games too.
86 min: Anyinsah breaks down the right and heads for the corner flag before being fouled and winning a free-kick. From the resulting free-kick, United hold it in the corner but a foul is given to the Lions.
82 min: Very cynical tackle there by Murph, taking out Henry on the halfway line after he'd beaten him. No arguments with that yellow card.
79 min: United make their first change, with Danny Graham coming on for Scott Dobie, who has put in a very hard-working performance this afternoon.
78 min: Another goal in the battle to avoid the drop, and this time it's Brighton taking a 1-0 lead at home to Stockport County.
75 min: Price is played through by a great ball. Keogh keeps up with him but the big Welshman then falls over on the edge of the box. He's appealing for a free-kick/penalty but Mr Swarbrick waves his appeals away. If that's not a foul, then surely it's a dive?
74 min: The ball comes to Martin 25 yards out. He tries a little chipped shot, but that's an easy save for Williams.
73 min: Good work by Henry down the right sees him dig out a cross near the corner flag that Raven has to head out for a corner at the far post. Martin goes across to take it but it's a wasted short-routine.
72 min: Cleveland wins a free-kick on the right. It's hit long by Raven and Murph knocks it down but Forde easily claims it.
69 min: Neal wins a throw-in just by the left-wing corner flag. Murph takes a long one that misses everyone but Cleveland almost nicks it as Forde comes to claim the ball.
66 min: Raven brings down Martin on the right and concedes a free-kick. It's taken by Henry and the ball's flicked up in the air but Williams comes and claims it.
63 min: Millwall go very close to getting one back. A chipped cross into the box finds Alexander at the far post and his lofted header is over Williams but comes back off the bar, with Keogh clearing the ball as Price lurked.
61 min: Chance for Millwall, as the ball fals to Abdou 25 yards out but his sliced volley goes wide, with Williams covering his post well.
59 min: Keogh is back on the field now. Big cheer went up during that break, and that's because Leeds are now 2-0 up against Northampton!
58 min: Break in play as Keogh recieves some treatment. Millwall take the opportunity to make two changes, with Grabban and Bolder coming off for Martin and Laird.
57 min: United are living dangerously, as Price flicks it up a few times in the box, but eventually Keogh gets in a challenge, playing it off Alexander to win a goal-kick.
56 min: It's end to end stuff (cliche alert!) as United go up the other end from the second corner. Anyinsah is through on his own but has four defenders there to stop him. Cleveland wins it back and spreads it out wide to Neal, who lays it for Murph to sends in a delightful cross, but despite Dobie's flick on, no-one is in the middle to finish it.
55 min: Grabban tries to put a cross in on the right but it's deflected out for a corner. Henry sends it in but it's cleared back out to him. His second cross is a low one that Kav somehow scoops off the line and over his bar for another corner! Don't think he meant that somehow...
53 min: Bristol Rovers are now 4-1 up against Hartlepool, which means they are now level on points and goal difference with United. Only goal scored, which Hartlepool have 66 to United's 56, is keeping the two sides apart.
52 min: So so so close to being three. A long punt upfield by United is left by the Millwall defence but Cleveland is running his legs off to get to it. He gets there but a defender closes him down and with the ball stuck at his feet, it's cleared and the chance is gone.
50 min: GOAL! Carlisle United 2 (Thirlwell) Millwall 0 - United FINALLY get a two goal lead and it's another absolutely stunning finish, this time from Kav's midfield partner Thirlwell. After Anyinsah has a fresh air shot, the ball's cleared. The cross back in is cleared as far as Thirlwell who sends a stunning left-foot volley into the top corner giving Forde no chance. It's his fourth of the season and two of them have been stunners!
49 min: Early goal in the second-half in League One, and it's Bristol Rovers who've scored again to make it 3-1 against Hartlepool.
48 min: Cleveland beats his man down the right and moves towards the box. He sends in another dangerous low cross that Millwall clear as far as Murphy, but his 35 yard shot goes well wide.
47 min: Today's attendance is 9,470. Great turn out by the Blue Army.
1606: United are now back out on the pitch and receive a roar of approval from the Main Stand. Millwall follow shortly after, with the officials the last out on the pitch. One change at the break for the visitors, with Jason Price replacing record-goalscorer Neil Harris. The Lions get the game underway.
1602: Jimmy will of course be taking part in the Masters Tournament for United this summer in Newcastle. More information will be on the official site soon, as well as the confirmed line-up. A little teaser for you, Warren "Sumo" Aspinall will be lining up for the Blues! It'll be great to see the big man back in a United shirt.
1601: Jimmy Glass has just been on the pitch to do the Golden Gamble draw. The bloke who's won looks chuffed to have his photo taken with the man himself. The crowd urge Jimmy to shoot with a ball at his feet but he just has a little kick of it and leaves it. Don't want to tempt fate!
1558: Still can't get over how good that goal from Kav was. Put it this way, anyone remember the Alan Partridge "Countdown to World Cup 94" clips on The Day Today? Well his "he must have a foot like a traction engine!" line would be appropriate commentary for Kav's strike.
1550: United lead at the break, albeit with just a one-goal advantage. But what a goal it was. United fans will be replaying that for weeks on end. So far so good but a second goal would be nice to calm the nerves. As it stands (that's AS IT STANDS!) United are out of the relegation zone. But, and here come the cliches, anything can happen in the second-half. Let's hope it isn't a "game of two halves" (sorry) and the lads give 110% in the second-half. I'll be back shortly for a bit more banter.
HALF-TIME - Carlisle United 1 (Kavanagh 7) Millwall 0
45+2 min: Anyinsah and Dobie battle for the ball in the Millwall half and Dobes win it, setting Cleveland free down the right. He gets into the box and sends in a dangerous low cross that is just cleared with Neal waiting for a tap-in at the far post.
45+1 min: Just confirmed on my live table that Leeds are 1-0 up against the Cobblers!
45 min: There'll be a minimum of two minutes added time before the break. Just received a text that suggests Leeds are 1-0 up against Northampton.
44 min: Neal is brought down 30 yards out and United win a free-kick. Harte steps up but sends his shot well over the bar. Big cheer from the fans before the kick, has a goal gone in elsewhere? The live table I'm using hasn't updated yet!
42 min: Millwall break down the right and Grabban breaks into the box but his chipped cross is headed out by Kav. The corner from Henry is swung in and flicked up but Williams confidently claims the second ball.
40 min: Now Millwall have a free-kick in exactly the same position. It's dinked in again and once more it's Keogh who rises to head away and United break down the middle with Taylor, he tries to play in Kav but it's well cut out by a defender. From the resulting throw-in, Neal sends in a cross that finds Dobie but he's falling as he heads it and it's easy for Forde.
39 min: Now United have a free-kick about 35 yards out. Harte sends it in and it's a mix between a cross and shot through a crowd of players which Forde comfortably holds on to.
37 min: From that corner, United break with Anyinsah against two defenders. Neal is bursting a gut to join him down the left but Joe delays his pass just a little too much and Neal has to rush his shot which goes into the fans in the Warwick Road End. That was a big chance for 2-0.
36 min: Millwall are given a free-kick about 35 yards out after United battle to win the ball back. It's dinked in and Keogh rises to head it out for a corner. The kick is swung in from the left but doesn't beat Kav at the near post.
31 min: Hartlepool have got one back, it's 2-1 to Bristol Rovers now.
30 min: Bit of a delay while a Millwall player receives some treatment. Bristol Rovers' goals came in the 3rd and 5th minute and were scored by Darryl Duffy and Jo Kuffour, a couple of tormentors of United in recent seasons.
28 min: Millwall win a free-kick on the right-wing. It's sent into the middle and easily cleared but Anyinsah can't win the ball. It's knocked back in and Alexander appears to be a long way offside but no flag goes up. He sends in a low shot but it's well held by Williams.
23 min: Still 2-0 to Bristol Rovers against Hartlepool, while the rest of the games at the bottom remain 0-0.
21 min: United appeal for a handball just outside the area but nothing's given. Millwall break up the other end and it comes to Abdou whose shot is deflected out for a corner. The corner comes in and United struggle to clear, with the ball falling to Frampton but his shot is well wide.
19 min: Long punt up the field by Williams is flicked on by Anyinsah, falling nicely for Cleveland to strike a crisp volley that's well held by Forde.
16 min: Another good break down the left from Dobie, who lays it back for Kav. He sends in a first-time cross that is destined for Cleveland but a defender gets there infront of him to concede another corner. It's taken again by Neal, but his inswinger doesn't beat the first-man.
15 min: Joe Anyinsah is through on goal but he takes too long to shoot and a defender nicks in to concede the corner. Neal takes a left-footed outswinger that causes problems after Murphy and Cleveland knock it back in but a defender eventually sheperds the ball out of play for a goal kick.
13 min: A little moment of worry for United as the ball finds James Henry on the left and he dinks it into the middle. Williams comes for it but he's impeded and the ref gives the foul.
11 min: My words really don't do justice to that goal from Kav. Oh and I've just realised I predicted him to score! Just one from Dobes will do for me to be correct!
10 min: Nearly a second for United! A through from Raven into the box is cleared as far as Cleveland, who scoops it in but Dobie is too near him and can only direct his header over. Another goal at Bristol, where Rovers take a 2-0 lead!
9 min: Millwall almost get an instant reply. The ball goes down the right and finds Harris 15 yards out but he scoops the ball well over the bar.
8 min: Kav must have been at least 30 yards out there. Sumbline piece of finishing.
7 min: GOAL! Carlisle United 1 (Kavanagh) Millwall 0 - What. A. GOAL! Good build up from United sees the ball come to Anyinsah on the edge of the box, he feigns to shoot before laying it off for Kavanagh. He hits it first time and it flies like an arrow into the top corner. Stunning strike, contender for Goal of the Season!
6 min: Earl goal in League One - and it could be an important one for United. Bristol Rovers take a 1-0 lead against Hartlepool United.
3 min: It's definitely Murph at left-back and Harte at centre-back. It's a gloriously sunny day at Brunton Park today, with only a little bit of a breeze. No complaints about the conditions so far.
1501: United appear to have lost the toss and will be kicking towards the Warwick Road End in the first-half and will be getting us underway. First impressions from the line-up are Harte playing at centre-back, with Murphy at left-back. Paul Thirlwell and Joe Anyinsah get the game underway!
1459: Millwall are wearing a "bright" orange away kit today, while United are kitted out in next season's home strip. Quite like it myself, will have to get one before I head out on my holidays!
1458: The two teams are now out doing the pre-match stuff, with One Step Beyond playing over the tannoy. Difficult to hear it though, partly due to problems with the speakers and also becuase the fans are making a fair racket!
1457: Heroes cheerleaders have just been on the pitch doing their bit before the game and now we've got a bit of Oasis blasting over the tannoy. I'm feeling a mixture of tension and excitement right now. Hope it's more of the latter come 5pm.
1453: The nerves are just about holding up here in the press box, but as kick-off gets nearer it's becoming more tense. United need to break this run of 1-1 draws, especially after taking the lead in those games. I'm not normally one for predictions... but I'm going to go for a 2-0 win to United, Dobie and Kav getting the goals!
1449: Biggest cheer of the afternoon so far as United bring a special guest onto the pitch to be introduced to the fans. Can you guess who it is? It's Jimmy Glass of course, on with his son and daughter and it's got the fans going. He's gone to the Waterworks End to have a photo take with his kids too. Let's hope he's a good luck charm for United this afternoon.
1447: The United players have finished their warm-up and made their way back into the changing rooms to prepare for the game. They've received a fantastic reception from the fans as they come off the pitch. Brunton Park's already filling up nicely, with the schoolkids taking up the clubs offer of free tickets in the Waterworks End already enjoying themselves!
1444: Today's referee is Mr Neil Swarbrick from Preston, Lancashire. Interestingly, Neil was promoted to the Football League list the same season United won the promotion from the Conference. He actually refereed the second leg of the Conference Play-Off Semi-Finals against Aldershot, where Matty Glennon made his famous penalty saves. He also says it's the favourite of all the games he's refereed. Read more about it on his profile on the RefWorld website by clicking here.
1435: Speaking of cliché's, it's all come down to one game, after 4050 minutes, it's just 90 that really count, etc etc. Maybe we could play some sort of bingo game to see when I'll drop in another? "Game of two halves" will get a run out at some point too!
1432: Interesting twist for the visitors - last year, Lions goalkeeper David Forde was in nets for Bournemouth on the final day of the season as they battled to earn a 1-1 draw that proved not good enough to keep them in League One, as United were safe in the play-offs. This year, he's in nets for the visitors who are safely in the play-offs. It's going to be a cliché-ridden report today, so I may as well shoe-horn "it's a funny old game" in before kick-off!
1427: So it's three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Cheltenham last weekend. Michael Bridges and Evan Horwood are both out after their red-cards at Whaddon Road, while Chris Lumsdon also drops to the bench. Coming in to the replace them are Peter Murphy, Graham Kavanagh and Joe Anyinsah. Also coming onto the bench are Tony Kane and Gary Madine. Looks like Joe will partner Scott Dobie in attack, but it's hard to tell who out of Murph and Harte will play left-back and centre-back.
1423: The two teams today are as follows:
United - Williams, Raven, Keogh, Harte, Murphy, Taylor, Kavanagh, Thirlwell (captain), Neal, Anyinsah, Dobie. Subs - Kane, Madine, Lumsdon, Graham, Morris.
Millwall - Forde, Frampton, Dunne, Alexander, Harris, Grabban, Henry, Craig (captain), Barron, Abdou, Bolder. Subs - Pidgeley, Duffy, Martin, Laird, Price.
1421: Afternoon to United fans across the world and welcome to the final Minute by Minute report of the 2008-09 season. It's a huge game for United today. Nothing less than a victory will do and then it's a case of waiting to see what happens elsewhere. Results at Brighton, Bristol and Leeds will decide whether United stay in the third tier next season. We'll be keeping you up to date on those games as well as all the action at Brunton Park. The team sheets have just arrived so we'll have the news on them for you in just a minute!
