Barnet 0 Carlisle United 0

Barnet had a frustrating afternoon in their first round FA Cup tie on Saturday, and face the long trip to Brunton Park for the replay on Tuesday November 27.

Barnet were twice unlucky in the dying minutes when substitute Neil Midgley had a forceful header cleared off the line by defender Mark Winstanley and a close range shot from Ben Strevens was superbly saved by Carlisle keeper Peter Keen.

Well of top for most of the match, the Bees could not achieve the vital breakthrough.

Third-division Carlisle offered determined resistance through the powerful combination of Lee Andrews and David Rogers at the heart of the defence.

Barnet managers John Still and Carlisle chief Roddy Collins are long-time friends and both were happy with the result.

Still said: "We could have had two or three goals. But I was pleased with our display against a side who have drawn away to Oxford and Leyton Orient in the Third Division this season.

"It was a strong competitive cup tie with both teams full of commitment. We've done well away recently and won't fear the trip to Carlisle for the replay."

Collins added: "Barnet were better than half the sides we've played in Division Three this season. In the first 20 minutes they destroyed us. Though we came back strongly, we were hanging on desperately in the closing stages."

Barnet, uphill in the first half, dominated the early stages, with Leon Bell providing splendid service for pacy Wayne Purser. But Andrews proved equal to the challenge with superb well-timed tackles.

Barnet's best chance of the first half fell to Strevens in the 23rd minute when he races on to Bell's through pass but his powerful angled shot was beaten away by keeper Keen.

Carlisle hit back strongly in the last 15 minutes of the first period.

David Morley's 25-yard shot flashed narrowly wide and Barnet keeper Lee Harrison did well to get down to a low shot from Richie Foran. On the stroke of half-time, Carlisle Steve Halliday's shot was blocked.

Barnet regained the initiative as the game progressed, but Gower and Purser were both denied by fine saves by Keen.

BARNET: Harrison, Gledhill, Heald, Arber, Flynn, Niven, Sawyers, Bell (Midgley 77), Gower, Strevens, Purser

Attendance: 2277

November 17, 2001 18:41

JOHN POLLARD