Carlisle United exited the Isuzu FA Trophy after a 1-0 defeat against Chatham Town at the Bauvill Stadium.
Matt Macarthur’s pinpoint first-half free-kick was the difference for the Kent-based outfit, who limited United to few chances throughout the afternoon.
Mark Hughes made several changes from the Blues’ 2-0 win against Wealdstone, most notably Bevis Mugabi returning to the starting line-up for the first time since a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
United were close to taking the lead within the opening ten minutes when Elliot Embleton slipped David Ajiboye through on the left of the penalty area, with his low shot drifting wide of Nathan Harvey’s far post.
Ajiboye showed a sharp turn of pace to burst away down the right wing, and his cutback found Sam Hetherington, who teed up Embleton for a shot from the edge of the box, which was deflected away from danger.
The Chats had their first opportunity through Tope Fadahunsi after Macarthur got onto a loose ball in the Blues half and fed the hosts striker, but his effort was fired tamely at Harry Lewis.
Kevin Hake’s side took the lead in the 26th minute through Macarthur’s stunning free-kick from 25 yards, which looped past Lewis into the right corner.
The hosts, inspired by their opener, looked to add another with Ollie Evans flashing an effort over the bar as the first half came to a close.
HALF-TIME: Chatham Town 1-0 Carlisle United
Persistence and skill from Kian Moynes saw the ball break to Macarthur, who whipped an effort wide just after the break.
Ajiboye’s speed continued to be an outlet for the Blues, linking up with Kelly, who laid off Chris Conn-Clark to bend a shot over the bar.
Conn-Clarke’s influence was growing as he slalomed through the Chats’ midfield, but his effort was deflected wide.
The United attacking midfielder had an opportunity to test Harvey from distance with a free-kick, but his effort was straight at the Chats’ stopper.
A neat move from the Blues saw the ball worked to Cameron Harper on the edge of the box, and his low shot flew just wide of the right upright.
Callum Whelan found Harper in space to the left of the Chats’ box, but his effort again drifted wide as United failed to find an equaliser.
FULL-TIME: Chatham Town 1-0 Carlisle United
Teams:
Chatham Town: Harvey, Evans, Aidoo, Robins, Butler, Nelson, Moynes (Giles 85), Sene-Richardson (Olugbodi 78), Leathers (Garlinge 68), Fadahunsi (Oldfield 73), Macarthur (Anokye-Boadi 64)
Not used: Molyneux, Allen
Carlisle United: Lewis, Davies, Ajiboye (Smith 67), Whelan, Kelly (Mason 68), Embleton (Conn-Clarke 46), Murray, Ellis, Hetherington (Harper 46), Mugabi (Williams 46), Atkinson
Not used: Randall, Lowes
Goals:
Chatham Town – (Macarthur 26)
Carlisle United – N/A
Yellow cards:
Chatham Town – N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Red cards:
Chatham Town – N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Harrison Blair
Assistant Referee 1 - Daniel D'Urso
Assistant Referee 2 - Adrian Tranter
Fourth Official - Jordan Crossley
Attendance:
1703
