Newport stun United in second half ...
Carlisle failed to turn up on a disappointing afternoon which saw Newport claim their first away goal and first league victory of the season at the expense of the misfiring Cumbrians.
United looked in confident mood just after kick off and an early throw from Thompson brought a flick off the boot from Balanta. It landed on the penalty spot but there was nobody there to apply a touch.
A winding run from Gilliead from deep had the visiting defence stretched and touches from Asamoah and Balanta helped the youngster to reach the edge of the box. He shot on the run but his effort was blocked at source.
More good football released Brough on the left flank and his cross was just an inch over a jump from Ibehre. Gilliead retrieved it and he beat his man before drilling a low shot across the face of goal.
A spin from Balanta 30 yards out left his marker on his heels and the fierce shot which followed was just over and it dropped onto the roof of the net.
Crosses from Brough and Gilliead kept the pressure on but they were behind the strikers and County hooked them away.
Talisman Jabo Ibehre limped from the pitch with 19 minutes on the clock, to be replaced by Asamoah, and the Anfield hero was immediately involved as he dropped a shoulder and crossed deep for Gillesphey to head over.
Newport held their shape and they almost scored against the run of play when Parselle pounced on a high clearance. His shot had Gillespie beaten but it curled an inch wide of the upright.
More direct stuff from Gilliead brought another excellent shot and Day had to spread himself to beat it away with both hands.
A long period of midfield inactivity stifled any sign of forward play and the next chance to fall either way came deep into time added on for the half when Joyce received the ball in midfield. He went for shot but it was always heading high.
Substitute Scott Boden should have done better when he ghosted in from the left deep. He tried to bend it past the keeper but sent it right at the corner flag. And Twumasi was wasteful with the last chance of the half as County stayed high. Boden touched it on but the volley screwed high into the Warwick.
Asamoah was first to the ball from a race with Day, but the first real chance of the second half went the way of the visitors when Collins popped it wide for John-Lewis to overlap. Gillespie raced off his line and the keeper did well to make an important save as the ball threatened to squeeze under his body.
Gillespie had to come off his line again to get to the ball before Collins from a dangerous cutback, and Gillesphey nodded a Gilliead corner over at the other end as the game struggled along at a pedestrian pace.
Archibald-Henville drilled one from distance but the touch from Asamoah, as it whipped past his thigh, wasn't quite enough to take it onto the target.
Newport held their shape and eventually burst out with devastating effect when John-Lewis and Donacien opened things up on the right. An arrowed cross was met by Blackwood and his glanced header zipped into the roof of the net via a touch from Raynes.
Archibald-Henville headed over from a deep set piece as Carlisle tried to respond and Gilliead lobbed one over as he tried to turn a long ball into a decent effort.
Asamoah should have scored with less than a minute to go when he found himself behind the back line, but his touch dropped into the side netting. And Osei should have done better from a Gilliead cutback when he had the width of the target to aim at. He tried to place it but dragged it wide.
Gillespie went up for a late goalmouth scramble but Newport held out as shots were blocked and headers missed.
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Goals
Newport - Blackwood (68)
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Bookings
United - Raynes (90)
Newport - Byrne (76)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, Archibald-Henville, Raynes, Gillesphey, Thompson (Osei 71), Joyce, Balanta (McQueen 71), Hery, Brough, Gilliead, Ibehre (Asamoah 19). Subs - Hanford, Atkinson, Dicker, Rigg.
Newport County - Day, Holmes (Boden 44), Barrow, John-Lewis, Donacien (M Taylor 89), Twumasi, Owen-Evans, Partridge, Parselle, Byrne, Collins (Blackwood 61). Subs - R Taylor, Laurent, Elito, Shephard.
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Referee - Mr Kevin Wright
Attendance - 4,402 (133 away fans)
