Carlisle United Football Club

United started brightly and Novo set the tone when he nicked possession on the half way line. Madine took over and he drove forward with Potts in attendance. A neat pass inside sent the midfielder one on one but he was forced wide by the alert keeper and he stabbed his cross into the side netting.

A deep free kick from Chantler caused problems as O'Hanlon won the header but Grounds hooked it clear before Madine could pounce. 

Oldham started to settle and a slick passing move released Wesolowski as he arrived late in the box. The referee waved play on as the midfielder hit the floor under pressure from Noble.

The visitors kept their foot on the gas and a pass from Connor Brown brought a half clearance from the back line. Wesolowski took a touch and was within a whisker as he drilled the volley past Pickford.

The balance of power tilted back in favour of Carlisle and a high ball into the danger area from Noble brought a nod down from Madine. Potts took it on his thigh and was disappointed when he slashed a wild volley over the bar from just 12 yards out.

Oldham were still a threat and the dangerous Wesolowski delivered a superb cut back as United hesitated to cover the spaces at the back. Harkins took control and it needed a brave block from O'Hanlon as the wide man opened himself up to shoot.

Nerves started to creep into the home play as passes went astray but Gary Madine lifted spirits when he volleyed for goal from 35 yards. He caught it cleanly and Rachubka had to tip it over as it dipped under his bar.

United kept the pressure on as half time approached and Berrett and Noble had shots blocked as they tried to find a route through. And Berrett went even closer when he grazed the top of the bar with an inswinging free kick deep into time added on.

Sean O'Hanlon forced an early corner when he crunched a powerful effort through a gaggle of bodies and Noble and Madine had shots blocked in the follow up as blue shirts flooded the box.

More good football followed for Carlisle and Madine, Potts and Amoo combined to give Noble a brief sight of glory. His shot was on target but a big deflection left it easy for Rachubka to gather.

Substitute Joel Byrom had a header ruled out for offside as United struggled to get going but a cross from Symington received applause from the crowd when he found Madine on the penalty spot. The striker got his head to it but he couldn't keep it on target.

The Cumbrians were the architects of their own downfall on 70 minutes when a loose pass in the Oldham half led to a long ball over the top for James Dayton to chase. He did the rest as he used pace to beat his man and slot the ball under the dive of the stranded keeper.

Danny Redmond put a back post header over the bar as United tried to bite back and it was all hands to the pumps as the Blues threw men forward when the fourth official showed three minutes of time added on. Dave Symington brought another good save out of Rachubka with a fierce shot on the run and Madine's header from the Berrett corner had to be safely handled on the line by the alert keeper.

Jordan Pickford was called forward to join the attacking ranks but United couldn't find a way through as Oldham stretched their impressive end of season run to eight games unbeaten.

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Goals

Oldham Athletic - Dayton (70)

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Bookings

Carlisle United - Chantler (76)

Oldham Athletic - Philliskirk (39), Lockwood (45), Byrom (83)

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Teams

Carlisle United - Pickford, Symington, O'Hanlon, Brown, Chantler, Noble, Potts (Byrne 65), Berrett, Amoo, Madine, Novo (Robson 11 (Redmond 71)). Subs - Fleming, Miller, Meppen-Walter, Chimbonda.

Oldham Athletic - Rachubka, Brown, Grounds, Wesolowski, Smith, Clarke-Harris (MacDonald 75), Wilson, Lockwood, Philliskirk (Byrom 60), Worrall (Dayton 60), Harkins. Subs - Dunfield, Winchester, Millar, Coleman.

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Referee - Mr Paul Tierney

Attendance - 5,313 (733 away fans)