4:53pm Saturday 13th March 2010
By Jonathan Waldron
Colchester United's promotion hopes suffered a blow this afternoon when they were beaten 2-1 by ten-man Carlisle United at Brunton Park.
Colchester looked bright early on with midfielder David Fox, one of four changes to their starting line-up going close in the opening seconds.
Cumbrians keeper Adam Collin tipped away Kevin Lisbie's deflected volley but debutant Jason Price squandered two glaring opportunities for the home side before half-time.
Colchester were handed a major boost just before the break when Carlisle midfield man Tom Taiwo picked up two cautions in the space of 12 minutes and was sent off.
U's boss Aidy Boothroyd made three substitutions after that and one of their replacements - Clive Platt - broke the deadlock midway through the second half.
He slotted home calmly after Carlisle had failed to clear their defensive lines and fellow substitute Phil Ifil had picked him out in the area.
But the U's lead was short-lived.
Just a minute later, Price escaped down the right and squared the ball for Ben Marshall to finish emphatically from close range.
And Carlisle turned the match on its head five minutes later when Price poked in at the near post, from Richard Keogh's low cross.
Platt sliced wide from Ifil's cross late on but Colchester were unable to muster a precious equaliser.
For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's game at Carlisle United, see Monday's Gazette.
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