Carlisle United 3 Sheffield United 2: Blades’ winning streak comes to end at Carlisle

Sheffield United’s eight-match winning run ended in a 3-2 defeat at Carlisle. The Cumbrians led from the second minute but the Blades can consider themselves unlucky not to at least have shared the points after they hit the woodwork three times.

Carlisle’s flying start began when Francois Zoko burst past Harry Maguire to slot home his sixth goal of the season low to the goalkeeper’s right.

The visitors were level within five minutes when Maguire headed Stephen Quinn’s free kick back across goal and Ched Evans tapped in.

Evans rattled the post before Carlisle restored their lead after Lee Miller set up Zoko for his second from Paul Philwell’s through ball.

The Carlisle captain was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after a rash challenge on Evans and the visitors were unlucky again when Quinn’s snapshot cannoned off a post.

Carlisle goalkeeper Adam Collin denied Chris Porter but Evans drew Sheffield United level in stoppage time.

The woodwork denied Evans for a second time on the hour. He beat Lubo Michalik to the ball only to see his shot come back off the inside of the post.

Former Blades winger Jon-Paul McGovern clinched the victory finding the target in the 71st minute with a pinpoint finish after Miller’s deft lay-off of Peter Murphy’s through ball.

Carlisle United: Colin, Ribeiro, Michalik, Murphy, Robson; McGovern, Philwell, Tiawo (Madden 82), Berrett; Zoko, Miller. Unused substitutes: Livesey, Gillespie, Chantler, McKenna.

Sheffield United: Simonsen; Montgomery, Maguire, Collins, Jean-Francois; Quinn, Doyle (Beattie 88), McDonald, Flynn (Williamson 75); Porter (Cresswell 61), Evans. Unused substitutes: Ertl, Long.

Referee: J Adcock (Notts).