Swindon Town 2 Carlisle United 2

Chris Tanner reports from The County Ground

Second half goals from Simon Cox and Blair Sturrock were not enough to seal a home victory for Swindon against a resolute Carlisle United side on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors opened the scoring through Marc Bridge-Wilkinson ten minutes after the break but were then soon behind after goals from front pairing Simon Cox and Blair Sturrock. However an equaliser just four minutes from time ensured both sides finished the game with a share of the spoils after an entertaining clash at SN1.

John Ward's visiting Carlisle side set their stall out early with a 4-5-1 formation with 14-goal striker Danny Graham operating as a lone striker up front. Swindon once again kept faith with the 4-3-1-2 formation with McNamee operating as the floating winger. The only change to the starting line-up from the midweek defeat at Orient saw new loan signing Michael Timlin replace the injured Chris Allen in the heart of midfield.

Former Swindon midfielder Grant Smith was the first to try his luck for the visitors with a 20-yard drive which was well held by Peter Brezovan in front of the Town End as the rain continued to fall at SN1.

At the other end Miguel Comminges fired a left foot effort well wide after a slick pass wide from Jack Smith. On five minutes Anthony McNamee's cross from the left had to be tipped over by Westwood with the swirling County Ground wind making life difficult for the Carlisle stopper. Timlin's corner came out to McGovern - whose deflected shot was well held.

The visitors began to muster some pressure with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson sending a shot onto the roof of the C&D sponsored Town End when well placed.

Town's Slovakian stopper had to be alert on eleven minutes after an Aljofree header flew goalwards from a left wing cross, but the Town keeper did well to hold onto the ball with visiting striker Danny Graham lurking with intent.

Miguel Comminges and Anthony McNamee combined well on the left with 19 minutes played with the former Watford winger sending in another excellent cross which Cox could only glance wide.

A good interchange of passing between Aljofree and Timlin created an opportunity for McGovern on 23 minutes although the shot was dragged somewhat wide. Swindon continued to press for the opener with Michael Timlin seeing his close range shot blocked by the Cumbrians defence.

Swindon should have taken the lead with 31 minutes played. After Cox had broken free down the left, he drove in towards goal and after seeing his initial shot blocked by Westwood, further chances came Town's way. Sturrock's effort from the rebound was then stopped by Westwood with Easton then denied from 12 yards with a superb triple save from the Carlisle stopper.

Simon Cox then curled a left foot effort into the arms of Westwood ten minutes before the break, with Westwood having been by far the busier of the two keepers for the majority of the first half.

The chances continued to fall Town's way with Sturrock again denied by Westwood with 36 minutes on the clock.

A rare foray into the Swindon half for the visitors saw Danny Graham's back post header loop onto the roof of the net.

Half-Time: Swindon Town 0 Carlisle United 0

Swindon emerged unchanged for the second half and new loan signing Michael Timlin saw his left foot effort roll wide on 47 minutes with the home side attacking their own support in the Town End.

The home side continued from where they left off in the first half with a torrent of attacking play. Sturrock and Timlin linked well on 52 minutes with the loanee seeing his left foot drive blocked by the visitors defence.

On 54 minutes the visitors took the lead. After another Timlin shot had been blocked, Carlisle broke quickly up the field. A Grant Smith cross from the left was met by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and he rose to head home from 6 yards. The ball hit the post before nestling into the back of the net to hand John Ward's men the lead.

After conceding Swindon made a determined effort to draw level with Michael Timlin rounding Westwood but finding the side netting from an awkward angle on 58 minutes. Blair Sturrock then saw a 20-yard effort gathered by Westwood who was enduring a busy afternoon in Wiltshire.

Another opening for Town came and went on the hour. An interchange of passing between Timlin and McNamee saw he ball squared back 12 yards out. McNamee's first time shot was blocked again by the home defence, and after a succession of corners, Carlisle cleared their lines.

Swindon finally found the net on 61 minutes. Another Swindon corner caused further confusion inside the area and after seeing his initial shot blocked, Simon Cox fired home from inside the six yard box before celebrating his eleventh goal of the campaign in front of the Town End.

The chances continued to flow for Town with Michael Timlin seeing his 20 yard free-kick plucked out of the top corner by Westwood. Jerel Ifil then saw a close range effort blocked with Swindon continually denied by the resolute Carlisle backline with the game poised at 1-1.

Jon-Paul McGovern was cautioned on 78 minutes for a late challenge before Danny Livesey fired over from a corner when well placed.

Town took a deserved lead with just ten minutes remaining. A long punt up field from Brezovan saw the ball bounce high over the Carlisle defender, who had been turned by Blair Sturrock. The Swindon striker was then left with a run in and he had no hesitation in blasting the ball past Westwood from 12 yards to put The Robins into the driving seat.

Carlisle wasted no time in coming back into the game with an equaliser arriving on 86 minutes. A corner from the right was headed in by defender Peter Murphy with The Cumbrians celebrating what could be a vital point as the race for promotion hots up.

Watford loanee Moses Ashikodi entered the fray late on as a replacement for goalscorer Sturrock but was unable to change the end result of 2-2 with both sides taking a point after four minutes of added time.

Overall it was a determined performance from Malpas's men who could be pleased with the amount of chances created, although the home fans will no doubt have been disappointed not to be heading home after the game with a deserved three points.

Full-Time: Swindon Town 2 Carlisle United 2

Goals:

Bridge-Wilkinson '54, Cox '61, Sturrock '80, Murphy '86