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CARLISLE (home) 05/04/05 Hereford's excellent recent defensive record continued, with a fourth consecutive clean sheet, but the Bulls were unable to break down an impressive Carlisle United defence on Tuesday night. The result moves United up to third in the table, but they are separated from sixth-placed Stevenage by goal difference only. The first half was fairly even, with few clear-cut opportunities being created. Craig Stanley's shot from twenty-five yards forced Carlisle keeper Matty Glennon to stretch to push the ball away for a corner, and at the other end former Hereford loanee Karl Hawley shot wide. Chris Lumsdon's long-range free-kick just crept wide midway through the first half, but it was one of the few chances created as both defences were very much on top. Hereford often looked dangerous coming forward down the wings, but the final ball was often lacking. Glennon commanded his box very well, and would sometimes come all the way to the edge of his penalty area to take crosses. He also did well to get down low to catch a low ball in from Daryl Taylor. The second half was much more open, and Hereford were on top for long spells. A header from the Hereford defence dropped behind the Carlisle back line and into the path of Adam Stansfield, but having got clear and with just Glennon to beat, the Bulls' top scorer blasted over the bar. The visitors reminded the Bulls that they were still in the game however when Craig Mawson had to push away a cross-shot from Hawley. Carlisle's Tom Cowan came close to scoring an own goal from Ryan Green's cross, and from the resulting corner the ball fell invitingly to Stanley. The midfielder's firmly-struck shot flew across the face of goal and went just wide however. From another corner, the impressive Kevin Grey deflected Lee Mills' header over the bar. The visitors rarely threatened until the last fifteen minutes, when they created three good goalscoring opportunities. Glenn Murray, who minutes earlier had come on for the injured Derek Holmes, steered his header wide from ten yards, and minutes later had an even better chance following a goalmouth scramble; again, he missed the target, this time with a shot. Substitute Danny Williams saw his free-kick flash wide, and Rob Purdie was about to break clear when he was denied by an excellent tackle by Danny Livesey. At the other end, Carlisle came closest of all to breaking the deadlock when Hawley's header from a set piece came back off the crossbar. Unlike the previous few matches, Hereford in truth never looked like breaking down a Carlisle defence that has conceded just one goal in their last seven matches. On the plus side, the Bulls' own defence looked just as solid, and a goalless draw was perhaps the inevitable outcome. However, Carlisle are probably happier with one point than Hereford are. Tamika Mkandawire was his usual brilliant self in defence, and Mark Robinson looked a lot better than he has done. Hereford's best player was Jamie Pitman, but even his industrious display wasn't enough to get past a Carlisle defence that had Grey, Livesey and Glennon all on top form. The next two matches against struggling York City and Forest Green Rovers look winnable for Hereford, and with the race for the play-offs getting ever tighter it is crucial they pick up maximum points from these games. On Saturday however, Accrington Stanley face Stevenage, Aldershot meet Crawley and Halifax take on Barnet, meaning that some of the play-off challengers will definitely drop points. Team and ratings: Mawson (7), Green (7), Tretton (7), Mkandawire (8), Robinson (8), Taylor (6) (sub D Williams (5)), Pitman (8), Stanley (7), Purdie (7), Mills (6), Stansfield (6). Subs not used: Scott, Hyde, Travis, Smikle.
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