January 2011

The Cumbrians savoured yet another heady night of drama under the Brunton Park floodlights by dispatching their much fancied Yorkshire rivals in style.

Few could have predicted the nature of Carlisle's victory on the night, while even fewer will know the secret to United's extraordinary love affair with the competition.

The deadlock was broken when Ben Marshall fired home from Francois Zoko's flick-on, before Tom Taiwo's 20-yard drive added a second.

The visitors offered little in return and were helpless as Peter Murphy powered in a header from a corner.

And Lubomir Michalik added the gloss, heading in James Berrett's free-kick.

The scoreline did not flatter a buoyant Carlisle side, who could have scored further goals but first Craig Curran and then Michalik had efforts hacked off the line.

Those who wrote of Carlisle before the game had not factored in the club's remarkable history in the trophy, making the final five times in recent times - more than any other club.

And with so many nights of Johnstone's Paint Trophy drama at Brunton Park, including a phenomenal late fightback against Port Vale in round one, nobody should be surprised.

Greg Abbott's men now find themselves in the unique position of travelling to the Galpharm Stadium with a record breaking first leg lead for a Johnstone's Paint Trophy area final.

Town boss Lee Clark admitted everything went wrong for his side.

"Never mind the game being a wake-up call. It was a car crash.

"The only good thing about the result is that it should help us for the rest of the season. It has to. We got totally outplayed in every department.

"I don't think the tie is over but it's a massive mountain that we now have to climb."

Johnstone's. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.