Ryan Loft gives Carlisle smash-and-grab win at Scunthorpe

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2019 by PA

Substitute Ryan Loft’s emphatic finish earned Carlisle their first victory since the opening day of the season in a 1-0 success at bottom club Scunthorpe.

The striker made the most of a rare sight at goal for the Cumbrians, firing low into the bottom corner after getting in behind the home defence.

The goal earned something of a smash-and-grab win for the away side, who got men behind the ball to frustrate Scunthorpe for long periods of a game the Iron dominated – albeit without really testing Carlisle keeper Adam Collin.

Yann Songo’o had an early header cleared off the line for the hosts, Abo Eisa could not steer a similar effort on target, while Regan Slater was not far off either as he raced in at the back post looking to finish a flowing move he started.

Carlisle did not muster an effort at goal in the first half, but the introduction of Loft at the break paid dividends when he seized on an Iron defensive header before racing clear and firing in.

Scunthorpe still had opportunities to get something from the game, but Collin pushed Matthew Lund’s 83rd-minute header over the bar on his way to keeping a first clean sheet.