Hurrah! We've Scored a GOAL!

A crowd of 3946 saw Carlisle United ease past Norwich City as the Canaries hopes of securing a place in the third round of the FA Cup run were ended in no uncertain terms at a fog covered Brunton Park.

Paul Lambert made just one change to the side that beat Brighton on Tuesday night, which resulted in City suffering only their second defeat in 15 matches in all competitions as Carlisle avenged their league defeat on the same ground seven weeks earlier and booked their place in the third round.

Central defender Gary Doherty made  his 200^th senior appearance for the Canaries and was partnered at the back by Michael Nelson, who was recalled to defence filling in for Jens Berthel Askou, who was missing after his wife had been taken ill, whilst 17 year old Jed Steer was included in the senior squad for the first time as one of the seven City substitutes.

The game kicked off in very foggy conditions, which had become worse in the minutes approaching the 1715 start, which also appeared to effect the attendance at Brunton Park as many of City’s support has decided against the long drive north to Cumbria.

Vincent Pericard gave the hosts the lead in the 12^th minute with an excellent finish from Joe Anyinsah’s cross, as Anyinsah crossed from the right and although the ball appeared to be behind Pericard, he managed to flick it acrobatically past Forster with his outstretched back leg.

Grant Holt levelled with his 16^th goal of the season in the 26^th minute, heading home after excellent work by Wes Hoolahan, after the midfielder had taken a pass from Drury on the left hand corner of the penalty area and went past three United defenders to reach the byline before delivering the perfect cross for Holt, stooping slightly, to head home.

The Canaries looked the better side for the rest of the first half but were behind again within 15 seconds of the restart when Kevan Hurst restored Carlisle’s lead. Pericard got the better of Lappin, crossed from the right and Hurst drilled a low shot past Forster and inside the post.

City made a double change with 20 minutes left when Hughes and McDonald replaced Russell and Chris Martin.

But they had been on the field just a minute when Carlisle made it 3-1 after Kavanagh’s corner was cleared but the ball came back to him, wide on the right, and when he crossed again, defender Keogh headed home at the far post.

A game of two halves for City, who quite easily match the Cumbrian side in the first half but failed abysmally to get going in the second, and so it’s back to East Anglia in preparation for another busy week ahead as Lamberts side travel to Roots Hall on Tuesday before heading back to Carrow Road for Saturday’s clash against Oldham Athletic.