Sky Bet League Two
Carlisle United 0
JAMES MORTON was red carded after the break as plucky Forest Green settled for a point at Carlisle.
The Bristol City loanee was sent off with 20 minutes to go after picking up a second yellow.
In truth, Rovers will point to a stonewall second-half penalty claim when Mike Jones handled Kyle Taylor’s cross With Rovers in rude health, boss Mark Cooper named an unchanged team for the first this season.
Carlisle made a front-foot start. Jack Bridge latched onto a loose ball but the redoubtable Farrend Rawson got the block on Olufela Olomola.
It was high-octane stuff from the get-go. Bournemouth loanee Kyle Taylor wriggling through and spanking over the bar.
Rovers were predictably bossing the ball – zipping it about with aplomb.
It was end-to-end. Carlisle winger Nathan Thomas surged from his own half and left Liam Kitching chasing shadows, but his lung-busting run ended when Lewis Thomas saved smartly in the 11th-minute.
Thomas was causing problems with his leggy running and Rovers’ James Morton went into the book for clipping the Carlisle speedster.
Cooper’s side responded on 20 minutes. Captain Joseph Mills slipped through Carlisle to find Jack Aitchison who fizzed in a strike which Adam Collin pounced on.
Collin was on his mettle on the half-hour – gathering a Carl Winchester fizzer from outside the box.
Thomas nipped the ball off Morton but McKirdy spurned a guilt-edged opportunity to nose the Cumbrians ahead.
Winchester was the next booking for Rovers as Carlisle looked to turn the screw.
Rovers’ threats were coming from Mills and his cross was spilled by Collin, but hacked away as the first-half clock ticked.
On the cusp of the break Aitchison pulled the trigger on the edge of the box but Collin kept the score blank with a sprawling save.
Strangling the ball with 69 per cent first period possession, Rovers slipped into their routine from the restart.
However, Rovers looked all at sea when Jack Bridge stepped on the gas but his approach play failed to match his finish.
Rovers’ relentless probing saw Collin keep the scores at deadlock. Kitching cut the ball back for Aitchison but Collin parried his stinger to safety.
Cooper turned to his bench -introducing Liam Shephard for Udoka Godwin-Malife on 59 minutes.
Rovers were incandescent with rage when Taylor’s cross appeared to be handled by Mike Jones who turned away to block the ball.
Morton saw red with 20 minutes to go as he caught Hallam Hope in the centre circle. Initially he was handed a yellow but the referee quickly realised the Bristol City loanne had been booked in the first half and out came the red. In the ensuing debate, Carlisle boss Steven Pressley was handed a booking.
With Rovers down on numbers, Ebou Adams came on for Taylor and moments later Junior Mondal replaced Aitchison.
Lewis Thomas got the faintest of touches to turn Bridge’s dink onto the bar as Carlisle threatened with seven minutes to go.
Rovers’ blushes were spared as the clock ticked to 90 minutes – Elliott rising above Adams but planting his header over the bar.
With five minutes of added-time, Rovers remained resilient.
Rovers dropped two places to fifth.
Star Man: Carl Winchester.
Attendance: 3,219
FGR fans: 76.
Next up: Forest Green welcome Stevenage on Saturday, 3pm.
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