United left it late in Yorkshire, but a stoppage-time winner from Phoebe Langan sent the Blues into the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Goals from Bessie Best and Phoebe Langan saw the Cumbrians progress in a 2-1 win against Northallerton Town.
Carlisle started the game the brighter of the two teams with a flurry of attempts in the opening stages.
The opening chance of the game arrived on six minutes, when great combination play between Sarah Nixon, Katie Barbour and Megan Mitchell down the right wing forced a great chance for Louisa De Freitas, but her shot was well saved by the ’keeper.
The hosts grew into the contest and tested United 'keeper, Chelsea Norris, but she was equal to their efforts.
United tested the opposition's shot-stopper on 26 minutes, when Best’s corner found Katie Barbour in the box, but her header was straight at the ’keeper.
Some stellar defensive work from Jade Beal on her return to the side meant that Carlisle were solid at the back.
The rest of the first-half passed with little incident, but showed United they had work to do if they were to secure their place in the hat for the next round.
HALF-TIME: Northallerton Town 0-0 Carlisle United
The Blues started the second period with much more intensity and were the only side that looked like making an impact on the scoreline.
A chipped through-ball from Jess Cleasby on 47 minutes nearly found the run of Mitchell, but the goalkeeper was quick off her line to deny the United midfielder a shot on goal.
The Blues were in front five minutes later though, when Cleasby’s corner fell to Best in the area, and she made no mistake firing her shot into the top corner to give United a deserved lead.
Chances were at premium for both sides throughout the rest of the second-half, but Carlisle’s lead looked comfortable.
Tracy Gannon made changes in the latter stages, with Heidi McMillan coming on for her debut for Jess Cleasby on 70 minutes, and Louisa De Freitas, after another commanding performance, made way for Alicia Messenger on 86 minutes.
Carlisle looked as though they were sailing into the next round, but Northallerton responded on 93 minutes, when their midfielder hit an ambitious attempt from distance that flew into the back of the net off the underside of the bar to break United hearts.
Penalties loomed in North Yorkshire, but a young Blues side had other ideas.
A pinpoint pass from Alicia Messenger set Phoebe Langan in on goal on 96 minutes, and she made no mistake slotting the ball cooly into the back of the net to send the United bench into bedlam and put Carlisle into the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
FULL-TIME: Northallerton Town 1-2 Carlisle United
Team:
Carlisle United: Norris ©, Nixon, Best, Beal, Matthews, Barbour, Winter, Mitchell, De Freitas (Messenger 86’), Cleasby (McMillan 70’), Langan.
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Best 52’), (Langan 90+6’).
Attendance:
139
