Mark Hughes’ first home game in charge of bottom side Carlisle ends in stalemate

Mark Hughes’ first home game in charge of bottom side Carlisle ended in a stalemate as his side recorded a goalless League Two draw with Colchester at Brunton Park.

The goalkeepers were on top throughout the game, with Gabe Breeze and Matt Macey producing several top-class stops as they kept the scores level.

Carlisle had the first major chance as Kadeem Harris played a beautiful through ball down the left for Callum Whelan but the midfielder’s shot went wide of the post.

Colchester had a chance soon after, but Breeze made an excellent point-blank save when the goal was gaping for Lyle Taylor.

After a relatively-uneventful first half, it was level at the break and Hughes switched things up in the second half, changing from a back four to a back three.

The Cumbrians had a brilliant chance to take the lead, but Macey produced a fabulous save to deny a left-footed Stephen Wearne shot that was destined for the bottom corner.

Macey then made another brilliant stop as he tipped a curling Elliot Embleton shot over the crossbar.

Breeze was then forced into action at the other end as he made an excellent save after Taylor had met a Jack Payne cross.

Both teams looked frustrated late on, but neither could find the back of the net in a nail-biting finish.