London Branch member and author Neil Nixon gives us his take on our most recent day trip to Brighton.

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On the plus side the lashing rain and freezing temperatures of the last visit on December 30 didn't materialise.

However, it was a reasonable rather than impressive turn out of away supporters that saw Carlisle turn in a good game in a month where the sublime and ridiculous had both been on show. Some supporters having enjoyed the comfort of the official team coach as the players flew down were well looked after. The pre-match drinks in the Withdean Sportsman were friendly enough and the home side extended their welcome in the first half by failing to mount a serious attempt on goal.

Carlisle's work rate and level of ambition suggested the embarrassing cup exits of the previous fortnight were a blip. But United still got caught repeatedly in midfield and often struggled to get the final ball to the front runners, time and again launching passes from midfield that saw Garner, Carlton and Gall in particular running for dangerous positions only to watch an opposing defender cut off their service.

Carlisle dominated the first half to the point that Kieren Westwood went the whole time without a proper save to make. Both defences worked well, Richard Keogh starting in central defence for United and looking composed on the ball. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson got on the end of a Garner pass in the 14th minute and only a superb save stopped his header finding the back of the net. United had the faster moves out of midfield and on 34 minutes they made one count as Chris Lumsdon fed a flying Simon Hackney whose rising shot proved unstoppable.

Brighton had clearly rethought their attack for the second period, passing less and relying on players to force their way through. Nicky Forster - easily their best player - turned and ran into the United area in the 48th minute, just evading Keogh and smashing the ball past a diving Westwood. The move brought the docile home crowd to life and set up a more competitive second 45 minutes.

Most of the play still rattled round midfield, Lumsdon and Bridge-Wilkinson trying hard to set runs off down the flanks whilst Bas Savage showed the ability to beat United's tackles and set off play-making passes for the home side. With time on the ball to score at a premium Carlisle were lucky to get a lead when Danny Carlton's cross appeared to be falling for Joe Anyinsah only for the loanee to miss the ball, confuse the defence and allow in a speeding Joe Garner to push it home from close range.

Garner had - for once - enjoyed some positive attention from the referee as opposing defenders went in solidly and frustrations boiled over in the 65th minute when Garner tangled yet again with Joel Lynch, the Brighton man was left sprawling after a tough battle and as Garner tried to right himself and get away George O'Callaghan lashed out at him in a clear attack that drew an instant red card. The Blue Army celebrated but soon found themselves urging their team on as Brighton appeared to improve, playing more down the middle and upping their work rate.

With Forster getting all the service the home side - improbably - enjoyed their best spell of the game. For all this United only had themselves to blame for the final result. Two moments decided the game, firstly Simon Hackney - in a repeat of his first half chance - got another run, set up a shot to beat the keeper but blasted just off target. With six minutes to go a poor David Raven clearance fell to the opposition who worked it out to Savage on the right for the playmaker to set up Forster who used his strength and power to hammer home. Despite some more urgent breaks out Carlisle couldn't mount a truly dangerous attack in the final minutes.

United: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Keough, Aranalde Bridge Wilkinson, Lumsdon, Anyinsah, Hackney, Carlton (Graham 73), Garner (Gall 77). Not used: Howarth, Murphy, Smith.

Neil Nixon