Carlisle United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rochdale despite a gritty, disciplined performance at the Crown Oil Arena.
Dan Moss’ first half goal proved the difference as United worked hard to limit Dale’s creativity but failed to make the most of opportunities going forward.
Mark Hughes made one change from the Blues’ 3-1 win against Altrincham last time out, with Jack Ellis coming in for Regan Linney.
Harvey Macadam was the first to fire at Oliver Whatmuff’s goal when Elliot Embleton latched onto Luke Armstrong’s flick on and found the midfielder, who volleyed over the crossbar from range.
A wicked free-kick delivery from Aidan Barlow forced Morgan Feeney to head over his own crossbar as the hosts looked to force an opener.
United’s defensive discipline was nearly rewarded with Embleton’s fierce free-kick delivery just evading Morgan Feeney at the back post.
Dale took the lead in the 41st minute when Moss arrived at the back post and scrambled in Barlow’s free-kick from the right flank.
Jim McNulty’s side nearly doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with Ethan Ebanks-Landell nodding wide from a delivery from the right.
HALF-TIME: Rochdale 1-0 Carlisle United
The hosts looked to kick-start the second half after Devante Rodney flashed a free-kick over the crossbar from 25 yards out before Ebanks-Landell headed another Barlow set-piece delivery off target.
Macadam was sent through on goal from a clever lifted through ball from Embleton, but his attempt to lob Whatmuff was weak, and the Dale stopper collected the effort with ease.
Quick footwork from Embleton allowed him the space to curl a strike from the edge of the box, but it drifted just wide.
Ian Henderson was close to wrapping up the game in the 85th minute, striding onto a ball over the top of the United backline, but his flick went just wide.
FULL-TIME: Rochdale 1-0 Carlisle United
Teams:
Rochdale: Whatmuff, Gordon, East (Pettit 79), Ebanks-Landell, Gilmour, Dieseruvwe (Henderson 79), Rodney (Pritchard 68), Adebayo-Rowling, Barlow (Hosannah 87), Moss, Perry
Not used: Allarakhia, McBride, Duku
Carlisle United: Breeze, Feeney, Ajiboye (Wyke 85), Galvin, Embleton (Parker 85), Ellis (Conn-Clarke 71), Gilliead, Williams, Mugabi, Armstrong, Macadam
Not used: Mair, Harper, Hayden, Wearne
Goals:
Rochdale – (Moss 41)
Carlisle United – N/A
Yellow cards:
Rochdale – (Barlow 80)
Carlisle United – (Galvin 40) (Embleton 84)
Red cards:
Rochdale – N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Charles Breakspear
Assistant Referee 1 - Matthew Parry
Assistant Referee 2 - Karl Buckley
Fourth Official - Callum Jones
Attendance:
4725
