Ten-man Forest Green frustrate Carlisle

Forest Green frustrated Carlisle as they held out with 10 men for the final 20 minutes for a 0-0 draw following a red card for James Morton.

Most of the game’s best scoring chances came in the first half with Nathan Thomas Carlisle’s principal threat and on-loan Celtic forward Jack Aitchison going close for Rovers.

The pacy running of Thomas on the right was an effective weapon for the home side. He tried to sneak one effort in at the near post, but Lewis Thomas in the Forest Green goal was alive to the danger.

Then it was Thomas again, this time with a surging run from half way. The attacker burst clear into the penalty area only to be denied by the legs of Thomas.

Rovers enjoyed long spells of possession and Aitchison almost snatched the lead in the 20th minute when he wriggled into the box after Joseph Mills had created the chance, forcing Adam Collin to produce a fine save at the near post.

Mills and Carl Winchester were a livewire combination for Rovers and both of them had the Carlisle defence in trouble with efforts just prior to the interval with Collin to the rescue.

The pattern continued after the break as Carlisle grew frustrated by their opponents’ ability to retain possession and it was Aitchison who went close for Rovers in the 57th minute with a firmly-struck effort that was met by another excellent Collin save.

The visitors’ Morton was sent off for a late challenge on Hallam Hope, his second yellow of the match, in the 70th minute and Carlisle manager Steven Pressley was then shown yellow on the touchline.

Carlisle substitute Christie Elliott nearly won it with his first touch late on, but his header was a fraction too high.