Carlisle United progressed in the Isuzu FA Trophy after a 2-1 win over Harborough Town at the Harborough Town Community Stadium.
Harry Lewis made a vital penalty stop before Sam Murray and Regan Linney got on the scoresheet for the Blues, with Liam Dolman pulling a goal back for the hosts midway through the second half.
Mark Hughes made several changes from the midweek defeat to Woking, with Sam Murray, Jack Ellis, Hayden Atkinson, Harry Lewis, Archie Davies, Sam Hetherington, Callum Whelan, Stephen Wearne and Luke Armstrong all coming into the side.
The Bees showed their threat with a long throw from George Carline, finding Connor Kennedy, who headed over the bar.
Ben Stephens was next to trouble the Blues’ goal with his header from Eliot Putman’s cross, forcing Lewis into a sharp save.
The hosts were allowed to take the lead from the spot when referee Greg Rollinson awarded a penalty in the 13th minute after a tussle in the box.
Stephens stepped up, but his spot kick was saved low to the right by Lewis, keeping the scores level.
Elliott Taylor had to produce a stunning fingertip save to deny Whelan in the 17th minute, with the United midfielder’s deft header looking destined for the bottom left corner.
Alex Gilliead tried his luck from the edge of the box with a powerfully struck shot, which Taylor saved.
United took the lead in the 28th minute through Murray, who managed to squeeze a side-footed volley from Gilliead’s free-kick past Taylor.
A tidy move which saw Wearne and Hetherington combine to set up Linney, whose effort flew high over the bar.
Whelan received the ball from Gilliead outside the box, and he sent a low effort just wide of the right upright.
HALF-TIME: Harborough Town 0-1 Carlisle United
Gilliead released Linney down the left, and he raced away before cutting inside and firing an effort over the bar.
A deep corner from Putman found Carline at the back post with his looping header drifting over the bar.
The Blues doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Armstrong raced onto a long ball over the top, before squaring the ball to Linney to tap home.
Harborough reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Dolman got onto a cross from the right flank and nodded past Lewis.
United had to stand firm as the Bees launched numerous balls into their box, but managed to hold out and secure progression in the competition.
FULL-TIME: Harborough Town 1-2 Carlisle United
Teams:
Harborough Town: E Taylor, Carline, Putman, Dolman (Williams 90), Kennedy, Morris (Hickey 39), Stephens (Pennant 80), Walsh, O’Sullivan, Kamara (Malone 62), Arlott-John (Rose 58)
Not used: O’Donnell, J Taylor
Carlisle United: Lewis, Murray (Embleton 86), Atkinson (Feeney 71), Ellis, Davies, Whelan, Gilliead, Hetherington (Harper 80), Wearne, Linney (Williams 82), Armstrong
Not used: Breeze, Ajiboye, Mason
Goals:
Harborough Town – (Dolman 69)
Carlisle United – (Murray 28) (Linney 57)
Yellow cards:
Harborough Town – N//A
Carlisle United – (Wearne 81)
Red cards:
Harborough Town – N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Greg Rollason
Assistant Referee 1 - Martin Beard
Assistant Referee 2 - Robert Evans
Fourth Official - Jamie Stevenson
Attendance:
1726
