Hayden header gives Carlisle victory over Forest Green

Posted Wednesday, December 11, 2019 by PA

A first-half header by defender Aaron Hayden gave Carlisle a 1-0 win against Forest Green in their FA Cup second-round replay.

It was third time lucky for the Cumbrians after twice drawing with Rovers this season in the league and cup and it earned them a third-round trip to Championship side Cardiff.

On a blustery evening Forest Green made the better of the conditions in the first half hour and on a couple of occasions dangerous balls flashed across the Carlisle penalty area without finding any takers.

Junior Mondal cut inside on to his left foot for a shot which flew just over the bar and Kyle Taylor went even closer to opening the scoring when he came bursting onto a Liam Shephard cross, but from 12 yards he was unable to keep his finishing effort down.

It took Carlisle a while to find their shooting range, but once they did they threatened the Rovers defence and Nathan Thomas poked a fraction wide of the left hand post after Canice Carroll’s clever ball had picked him out.

Ryan Loft had an effort chalked off for offside before Carlisle went in front in the 41st minute when Hayden got his head to Thomas’ accurate cross to force the ball home from six yards.

With both sides struggling to create clear chances after the break Carlisle substitute Harry KcKirdy tried to inject some life into the attack as he wriggled into space, only to see his low shot drift a fraction wide.

Aaron Collins fired a warning to Carlisle that the job was not done, his 80th-minute 25-yard piledriver slamming against the bar.

But despite a late show of urgency it was too late for Forest Green to retrieve the situation.