Carlisle United under-18s were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Burton Albion at the Sheepmount.
Nathan Wheatley’s penalty wouldn’t prove to be enough, as United fell to their first defeat of the season.
Mark Birch made two changes from last weekend’s victory over Mansfield Town, with Brad Robinson and Ben Aaron replacing Sam Worth and Amaru Smith, who have both left the club on loan this week.
The visitors started on the front-foot with Robinson having to pull off several excellent saves to keep the scores deadlocked at 0-0.
United’s early chances came from set-pieces, both Zac Tonge and Josh Wade tested Lucas Joubert from distance.
The Brewers would take the lead just before the 20-minute mark through Caden Gilbert who managed to finish from close range after getting on the end of Kairo Piper’s low ball into the box.
The Blues grew back into the game after conceding and began to put pressure on the Brewers’ defence, Joubert was fortunate not to be sent off after handling the ball outside of his area.
From the resulting free-kick United would be awarded a penalty after Alex McDonough was pulled down in the box when trying to get on the end of Josh Wade’s whipped ball in.
Nathan Wheatley would level things up by slotting the ball into the bottom corner and sending Joubert the wrong way.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 1-1 Burton Albion
United came out for the second-half in confident mood, Tonge came agonisingly close to scoring after getting on the end of Josh Wade’s in-swinging corner, but his header flew over the bar from close range.
Despite a starting the half in a positive fashion, Albion would eventually wrestle back control, Robinson had to be on top form to keep the scores level.
However, Burton would take the lead in the 64th minute after Piper scrambled the ball past Robinson after a deflected pass fell kindly for him.
The Blues pushed hard to find their second goal of the afternoon, Joubert had to produce multiple athletic saves to keep out the likes of Tai Bell and Dan Miller.
In the closing minutes Will Rafferty came incredibly close to scoring after being sent through on goal, but Burton defender Archie Hancock produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny him.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 1-2 Burton Albion
Team:
Carlisle United: Robinson, Thwaites, Miller, Aaron, McDonough, Boertien, Rafferty, Tonge, Wheatley, Bell (C), Wade
Unused subs: Grainger, Cumersky, Hodgson, Murphy, Moynan
Goals:
Carlisle United - (Wheatley 42’)
Burton Albion - (Gilbert 19’), (Piper 64’)
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United - (Bell 71’)
Burton Albion - (Joubert 40’)
Red cards:
Carlisle United - N/A
Burton Albion - N/A