Carlisle hang on for replay at Hillsborough

Posted Sunday, January 07, 2018 by PA

A resilient Carlisle performance earned them an FA Cup third round replay with a 0-0 draw against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday failed to make the most of their chances and were unable to provide interim boss Lee Bullen with a win in his last game in charge before new manager Jos Luhukay takes over on Monday.

Wednesday looked busy from the outset and Atohe Nuhiu came within inches of giving them the lead in their first attack when his header from Liam Palmer's cross whacked against the bar before being gratefully grabbed by Carlisle goalkeeper Jack Bonham.

The League Two side were rarely seen as an attacking force in the first 45 minutes although ex-Owls' loanee Hallam Hope did make room on the right of the area to flash a shot across the face of Joe Wildsmith's goal and wide of the far post.

The second half picked up where the opening period finished with Wednesday on top but failing to make the most of their superior possession.

Lucas Joao went close on two occasions, first with a flicked header which flew a foot wide, then with a near post effort which hit the post following a free kick by David Jones wide on the right. Bonham also had to be at his very best to save low down from Nuhiu's header.

Sam Cosgrove had the Carlisle fans on their feet when he found the net with a 68th minute header, only for an offside decision to rule it out.

Despite late pressure the Carlisle defence, with 39-year-old Clint Hill playing his 650th career game, held firm to earn a replay.