Latics fall at the first hurdle

Photo: ANDREW SCHOFIELD

ON THE CHARGE: Athletic forward Chris O’Grady who was called into last night’s starting XI by manager Dave Penney, tries to beat Carlisle United defender David Raven.

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Carlisle 1, Oldham 0

Penney’s men let down by lack of cutting edge

ATHLETIC kissed goodbye to a potential cash jackpot in the Carling Cup following their first-round exit at Carlisle United.

It was a disappointing night at Brunton Park where Athletic failed to build on the promise of their opening Coca-Cola League One game against Stockport County.

After 11 attempts on goal in Saturday’s goalless draw, Athletic managed only one last night.

Two succecssive blanks has become a worry for manager Dave Penney. He will be looking to rediscover the attacking formula which Athletic appeared to have perfected towards the end of their pre-season programme.

Although they seem to have lost their goalscoring touch for now at least, at the opposite end of the pitch they have managed to plug the leaks which surfaced in their warm-up matches.

Athletic’s back line has been breached only once so far this season — and that was in the 88th minute of last night’s clash when Scott Dobie headed home Carlisle’s matchwinner.

The former West Brom striker seized his chance after being overlooked from the starting line-up on Saturday.

Dobie’s goal sealed victory for Carlisle, who just about shaded it over the 90 minutes. They had marginally the better chances in a game which wasn’t a great advertisement for the competition.

Athletic had enough possession, but they were unable to turn it into clear-cut chances. This is the area of play which needs attention as they prepare for back-to-back league games in London against Leyton Orient and Millwall.

Penney paraded a new-look strike pairing at a near-deserted Brunton Park — the crowd was a mere 2,509.

Chris O’Grady and Darren Byfield were handed starting spots with Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker in reserve on the bench.

Athletic’s one other change from Saturday saw Danny Whitaker replacing on-loan Alex Marrow as Blackburn Rovers refused him permission to play.

The goalless opening period was far removed from Saturday’s derby against Stockport when Athletic created chances galore.

Athletic failed to trouble Carlisle ’keeper Lenny Pidgeley in an opening half which was eminently forgettable.

The visitors made the marginally more lively start as Pidgeley punched out a cross from Whitaker while O’Grady fired well wide.

But they failed to build on their early promise as Carlisle came more into the game, creating a number of clear-cut chances.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson had a couple of decent efforts as did Dobie and Joe Anyinsah, both with headers.

Carlisle came close to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when centre-back Richard Keogh’s header from Graham Kavanagh’s corner crashed against an upright.

Sean Gregan featured in incidents at both ends of the field early in the second half.

First he managed to deflect a goal-bound drive from Kavanagh and then he saw his long-range punt just clear the crossbar.

Carlisle kept up the pressure and Danny Livesey’s header from a Kavanagh corner flew a couple of yards wide.

Athletic, desperate for a lift, brought on Abbott and Parker for Byfield and O’Grady with a little over a quarter of the tie remaining.

There was another escape for Athletic when Bridge-Wilkinson evaded the offside trap but blazed over when clean through on goal. It was the miss of the night.

Athletic had to wait until the 82nd minute before testing Pidgeley for the first time. Chris Taylor cut in from the left and his fiercely-struck shot was beaten away by the ’keeper.

However, the deadlock was finally broken two minutes from time. Carlisle right-back David Raven whipped over a delightful cross which Dobie headed high into the roof of the net from eight yards.

There was no way back for Athletic as Carlisle skilfully managed to keep the ball near the corner flag in their opponents half for most of the three minutes of added time.

The home side even won a series of corners, which denied Athletic the chance of a last-gasp equaliser.