Two goals from on-loan winger Joe Anyinsah sent Carlisle United on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Swindon, who were not helped by the second half dismissal of youngster Ben Tozer to add to Town's selection problems.
Town started the game without injured duo Christian Roberts and Lee Peacock, neither of whom made the trip North to Brunton Park. Billy Paynter partnered Simon Cox up front with Andy Nicholas recalled to the starting line-up at left-back.
Spirits of the visiting Swindon fans who had made the long journey North were lifted before kick-off. Club Patron Mike Spearman, Acting Chief Executive Martyn Starnes and Director Sandy Gray joined by Rockin' Robin in handing out a complimentary winter hat and match ticket to the forthcoming visit of Hartlepool United as a 'thank you' for making the trip to Brunton Park.
The first chance of the evening fell Swindon's way with a pinpoint cross from McGovern from the right found the head of Paynter who could only head the ball wide from 12 yards out.
Sporting their third, black kit Swindon started the game well with plenty of early possession falling their way. The first corner of the night also came in favour of the Robins although McGovern's centre on six minutes was just too powerful and ran out of play in front of the Swindon fans housed in the corner of the CBS Stand.
The home side soon got into their rhythm though with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson forcing a good stop from Brezovan from a 25-yard free-kick. It was the first time the big Slovakian had been called into action but he came to the rescue in the 11th minute.positional switch for Miguel Comminges, who switches to the right wing replacing the injured Christian Roberts who has not made the trip North.
John Ward's side then carved out another opportunity with 15 minutes gone. A corner from Bridge-Wilkinson was met by Bristol City loanee Richard Keogh who headed narrowly wide.
Another loanee Joe Anyinsah nearly broke the deadlock three minutes later. A clever ball through from Chris Lumsdon was latched onto by the Preston winger who had squeezed in between the onrushing Brezovan and Nicholas on the edge of the box. Thankfully Nicholas was able to get back clear the danger with the goal gaping.
At the other end an ambitious 35-yard free-kick from Aljofree forced another corner with McGovern's corner not troubling the United backline. Danny Carlton then headed straight at Brezovan immediately after when perhaps he should have done better.
Michael Pook fired over a left-foot effort on 22 minutes after excellent running from Smith on the right forced a cross. Smith's effort was met by Pook on the edge of the box and his left foot swinger fizzed narrowly over the uprights.
The home side broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. After pressure down the left hand side Bridge-Wilkinson's pass through was blocked before Joe Garner forced the second ball through for loanee Joe Anyinsah who fired past Brezovan from 10 yards.
Swindon were once again under pressure on 34 minutes with Joe Garner finding space inside the area following a long throw. The midfielder's downward header was well-saved by Brezovan down to his left. The former FC Brno stopper denied Anyinsah two minutes later. A cross field left to right ball from Garner found Anyinsah in space and his strike into the ground was brilliantly palmed away by Brezovan with a superb reaction save.
The home side could have doubled their lead a minute before the break with Danny Carlton firing over from the angle after good work from Hackney and Garner. The two minutes of added time did nothing for the scoreline despite some further Swindon pressure.
Half-Time: Carlisle United 1 Swindon Town 0
Swindon emerged from the break unchanged and began the second half facing a strong wind. Billy Paynter was soon on the receiving end of treatment from Physio Dick Mackey after being clipped by Bridge-Wilkinson but thankfully he was able to resume play soon after.
Good work from Joe Garner on 48 minutes set up a chance for Simon Hackney and his effort from the angle was well gathered by Brezovan.
However Town were soon two goals down. A ball back across the face of goal from Garner was met by Anyinsah in space to the right of the six yard box and he steadied himself before firing home from 10 yards to put Town two down on 53 minutes.
In return Town introduced Barry Corr into the action in place of Billy Paynter on 56 minutes with Byrne and Williams hoping for a swift goal back. Disaster struck for Swindon when Ben Tozer was shown a straight red by Referee Mr M Oliver just after the hour mark. Tozer was adjudged to have pushed Garner on the edge of the box. The referee did not initially signal the foul but the linesman's flag alerted the referee.
Swindon were then forced to deploy Comminges at left-back with Nicholas moving inside alongside Aljofree at centreback. Joe Anyinsah was denied his treble on 67 minutes with his left foot effort well held by Brezovan.
The first effort on target for Swindon arrived on 70 minutes with J-P McGovern returning a headed clearance with interest but his shot was easily held by Westwood in the Carlisle goal.
Blair Sturrock was introduced to the action on 74 minutes, replacing Simon Cox in the front line. However just sixty seconds later John Ward's side added a third. A superb cross from the left by Simon Hackney was met by Joe Garner who made no mistake from close range to make it three.
Former Morecambe man Chris Blackburn replaced Comminges on 78 minutes with Carlisle also bringing onPaul Thirwell, a former Swindon loanee, in place of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.
The home side continued to press, revelling in a three goal lead against ten man Town. Chances for Swindon were nowhere to be seen with the home defence well marshalled by Livesey and Aranalde at the back. On 86 minutes former Yeovil Town striker Kevin Gall was added to the action in place of two-goal winger Anyinsah.
Thankfully for Town the final whistle soon sounded after three minutes of added time to signal the end of a night to forget for Byrne and Williams, but a night to remember for Carlisle boss John Ward.
FULL-TIME : CARLISLE 3 TOWN 0
CARLISLE GOALS
Anyinsah '27, '53, '75
Swindon Town: Peter Brezovan; Jack Smith, Ben Tozer, Hasney Aljofree (c), Andy Nicholas; Miguel Comminges, Craig Easton, Michael Pook, J-P McGovern, Simon Cox, Billy Paynter
Substitutes: Mark Scott (GK), Chris Blackburn, Barry Corr, Blair Sturrock, Chris Allen
Attendance: 5,477
