Carlisle Utd3

Farrell 53 + 70, Maddison 56

Leyton Orient0

(League Division Three)

THREE Carlisle United goals in a devastating seventeen-minute second-half spell dealt Orient's promotion aspirations a real body blow on Saturday afternoon as the Londoners surrendered to their heaviest defeat of the season.

Paul Brush's men never got out of first gear and rarely appeared capable of offering any answer to a double blow from ex-Leeds striker Craig Farrell and a stunning strike from left-back Lee Maddison.

To rub salt in the wound Matt Lockwood, normally so reliable from twelve yards, saw his late penalty comfortably turned around by Matthew Glennon.

"The first goal was poor defending," Brush admitted, "but the second was a wonder goal that gave them confidence and the third came when we were trying to push forward. We were second best for twenty minutes and that's when we conceded the goals that cost us. Overall I'm very disappointed."

In a scrappy first half on-loan frontman Jamie Burt had the only serious attempt on goal on 14 minutes when he forced Orient's Scott Barrett into a simple reaction save.

At the break home boss Roddy Collins introduced tricky right winger Brendan McGill into the fray and the youngster immediately caused havoc in the O's rearguard.

With Orient looking shaky at the back a United goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived on 53 minutes when Richie Foran burst past Lockwood to pull back for Farrell who sidefooted home from twelve yards.

Just three minutes later the killer blow arrived in the form of a super 30-yard strike from Maddison who rifled home his first goal in 219 games in English football.

Farrell rounded Barrett for his second of the afternoon before Orient were given a consolation chance when Dean Smith was fouled in the box with four minutes remaining, but Glennon only dirtied his gloves to parry Lockwood's poor penalty.

Despite a late siege Brush's side were left reminded that the play-offs are still but a distant dream.

ORIENT: Barrett; Barnard (McLean 74mins), Smith, Joseph, Jones, Lockwood; Martin (Hutchings 74), Harris, Brazier; Thorpe (Canham 80), Ibehre

January 30, 2003 10:30