Game largely .determined by the referee and his inconsistent approach to incidents. I have seen the Macdonald red on clips at h/t and not sure. Morris red was for a challenge which didn't look as bad as the one when Merrie was caught in the head, but no red card there.
I thought Rovers started slowly and the goal at that point was against the run of play. but excellent build up and a class finish by Hemmings. Up until the first red card we were on top. When we were down to ten men, in the second half, it was more of a struggle, but we still had a few chances, one superbly finished by Nevitt. There was a tendency to welly the ball out for a goal-kick towards the end of the match, whereas balls aimed towards the touchline might have gone for throw-ins enabling us to keep the ball down that end. Unsure that replacing Hemmings with NKP near the end worked and couldn't work out if we'd gone to a back three or he was left-back and Merrie pushed forward. Devasting to concede at the death.
MoM probably Hemmings, who had his best game in a Rovers shirt, but Nevitt was very good too.
In terms of a hostile atmosphere, Simpson needs to look at his own players and staff. There was a hysterical over-reaction when Macdonald went to check on the player he'd tackled, who contrary to first appearances was not fatally injured. While much of the chaos was down to the inept official, Carlisle played their part.
Big issues ahead if we're missing Macdonald and Morris for 4 and 3 games respectively. Merrie defends like a midfielder and it's asking a lot against some of the form teams we face next. Morris showed what we'd been missing today. I also felt Spearing looked very ring-rusty. Difficult decisions for MM and a challenge to lift the players after the way it ended. I'm feeling emotionally drained just from watching the game!
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