Source: PA
Opening goal rocked us - Irvine
Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine felt the first goal had been key after his side were beaten 3-1 by Carlisle in their Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Section semi-final clash.
The Cumbrians went ahead through Francois Zoko on the half-hour mark and extended their lead with strikes from Lubo Michalik and Ben Marshall before Darren Purse notched a late consolation for the Owls.
Irvine said: "I felt we looked quite good for most of the first half but the opening goal rocked us and we never really recovered. Conditions were difficult for both teams but I thought the pitch was playable. They took the risk out of it better than us.
"The second goal gave Carlisle a big boost and we really wobbled at that point. We had to survive that period but we didn't do it."
Wednesday had penalty claims turned down when goalkeeper Adam Collin got in a tangle with Jermaine Johnson with the score at 1-0.
Irvine added: "Why would Johnson go down? He was round the keeper and bearing in towards goal. The keeper was not going to catch him. It was a massive moment in the game."
