Drama At Deepdale

26 December 2011 16:47
Two penalties, at least one controversial refereeing decision, a serious injury and a late late equaliser meant an entertaining Boxing Day game at Deepdale.

Preston hadn't played on Boxing Day due to the weather for the past few years but this certainly made up for it as the Carlisle fans came for their big day out selling around 4,000 of their 6,000 allocation.

The joint caretaker managers had to make two enforced changes with McGlaughlin replacing the suspended Smith whilst the croked Mellor was replaced by Barton who was totally ineffective in supporting Hume.

Carlisle took the lead early on as it seemd the referee was still hungover from his Christmas sherry as every player in a yellow shirt fell like an angel from the sky at the first opportunity.

McCombe only had to put his hands on a Carlisle player when the forward went flying. The dive was worth an olympic medal which conned the referee and the penalty was subsequently converted by Miller.

David Gray then ent in for a fair tackle which unfortunately resulted in Loy being injured. There was a lengthy stoppage as Loy was taken straight to hospital.

The Whites then came back into the game although their equaliser was somewhat route one with a clearance from the keeper. Carlisle failed to clear and Iain Hume finished superbly around the keeper.

Preston then started to control proceedings and a through ball saw Parry fouled in the box. The winger picked up the ball to convert the spot kick to give Preston the lead.

The home side should have pushed home but for a blunder by the referee which changed the game. Barton was put clean through but pulled back. The referee waved play on as the ball broke for Hume who forced a save out of the keeper. The man in balck then failed to send off the Carlisle man despite commiting a clear professional file. There was only 40 minutes on the clock.

Nine minutes of stoppage time were added due to the serious injury to Loy and Carlisle broke where Zoko was given time and space in the box to turn whilst firing home into the roof of the net.

The visitors then took the lead in the second period thanks to a huge slice of luck in the second half. Berrett had a shot from 25 yards out which took a wicked deflection off Doyle leaving Stuckmann no chance.

Preston piled forward and thought they had equalised when Doyle had a 30 yard screamer pinball off one post and on to the other with the Carlisle keeper stranded.

An equaliser came right at the death as Jamie Douglas came on for Iain Hume. The youngster scored his first goal for the club after Coutts crossed from the right across the face of the goal for Douglas to tap in.

Preston will lament the fact that Carlisle were not reduced to ten men when the Whites were in the ascendency and may also have some calls over Carlisle's penalty. On another day you may complain about conceding three but there was little that could be done about Carlisle's first and third goals.

Source: FOOTYMAD