Carlisle United fell to a 2-1 defeat against Tamworth at the Lamb Ground.
An Oliver Lynch double cancelled out Stephen Wearne’s opener as the Blues failed to salvage anything despite a late push.
Mark Hughes named an unchanged line-up with Callum Whelan returning to the bench for the first time since a spell out with injury, and Georgie Kelly dropping out of the squad.
The Lambs started on the front foot with skilful play from Stefan Mols, seeing him drive into the box on the right, forcing Gabe Breeze into a save at his near post.
A long throw from the left flank by Jordan Cullinane-Liburd was flicked on by Dan Creaney to Lynch at the back post, who sliced a shot over the crossbar.
Lynch managed to get onto a long ball forward from Jas Singh, and he found Mols at the back post, who fired wide.
It was the Lamb’s striker who thought he had opened the scoring on the brink of half-time when he went through on goal and finished past Breeze, but he was adjudged to be offside.
HALF-TIME: Tamworth 0-0 Carlisle United
Wearne gave the Blues the lead in the 52nd minute, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and creating space for himself before unleashing a shot into the top corner, which Singh got a hand to but failed to keep out.
United’s attacking midfielder was almost integral in his side grabbing a second goal, picking out David Ajiboye down the right, he powered forward and delivered a cross which Armstrong could only divert off target.
The Lambs were level in the 64th minute when a cross into Creaney fell to Lynch, who swivelled and finished past Breeze into the bottom corner.
Lynch was a continuous threat for Andy Peaks’ side, and he flew through on goal again but could only find the side netting.
The hosts had a second in the 76th minute with Lynch again, the scorer, after Luke Fairlamb had weaved his way into the box and crossed low, which was palmed out by Breeze to the feet of the Lambs striker to fire home.
Harvey Macadam tried to get the Blues going, receiving the ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was guided straight at Singh.
FULL-TIME: Tamworth 2-1 Carlisle United
Teams:
Tamworth: Singh, Digie, Bates (Kurtaran 46), Milnes (Tonks 91), Fairlamb, Rye (Curley 77), Mols, Cullinane-Liburd, Acquaye (Reindorf 77), Lynch, Creaney
Unused subs: Cockerill-Mollet, Hollis, McGlinchey
Carlisle United: Breeze, Feeney (C), Linney, Galvin, Wearne, Gilliead (Parker 81), Mugabi (Thomas 91), Armstrong, Atkinson (Ellis 84), Macadam, Conn-Clarke (Ajiboye 46)
Unused subs: Mair, Harper, Whelan
Goals:
Tamworth – (Lynch 64, 76)
Carlisle United – (Wearne 52)
Yellow cards:
Tamworth – (Acquaye 74)
Carlisle United – N/A
Red cards:
Tamworth - N/A
Carlisle United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Gareth Thomas
Assistant Referee 1 - Thomas Staten
Assistant Referee 2 - Ryan Saward
Fourth Official - Jonathan Maskrey
Attendance:
1716 (727)
