Goals from Charlie Wyke and Shaun Miller down Port Vale
First-half goals from Charlie Wyke and Shaun Miller helped Carlisle defeat Port Vale 2-1 in the first round of the EFL Cup.
Vale improved after a disappointing first-half performance and Anthony Grant pulled one goal back, but although substitute JJ Hooper flashed one late effort just wide, Carlisle had done enough before the break courtesy of Wyke and Miller to finish in front.
Wyke was closest in the opening exchanges, just failing to slide home a Miller cut-back, and it was the former who gave his side a 27th-minute lead when sweeping the ball home from six yards.
Miller should have increased Carlisle's lead when he was sent clear by Mike Jones only to slip his shot past advancing goalkeeper Jak Alnwick but wide of the right-hand post.
He made amends in the 41st minute, drilling the ball home from the left of goal after Wyke's initial effort, from an astute Nicky Adams through ball, fell to the striker who had time and space to finish.
Vales showed more ambition after the break and Grant fired them back into the game in the 50th minute, slotting a low shot just inside the right-hand post from 15 yards after Carlisle had failed to clear.
A series of short corners helped Carlisle to wind down the clock in added time, leaving Vale frustrated and unable to mount any form of counter attack.
Source: PA
