Match report: Carlisle United 0 Huddersfield Town 1

Aug 11 2010 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

JORDAN RHODES snatched a dramatic last-gasp winner to send Town into the second round of the Carling Cup.

Last season’s 23-goal top scorer slid home his second of this season from substitute Lee Novak’s pass in the final minute of normal time.

The goal stunned Carlisle fans, who had seen their side boss the second half, and extended Town’s buoyant start to the campaign.

Both managers retained the same starting sides and substitutes after gaining impressive opening-day League I victories on Saturday.

While Town were winning 3-0 at Notts County, Carlisle defeated Brentford 2-0.

It meant a quick reunion with his old club for former Galpharm midfielder James Berrett, who was transferred in the close-season.

Brunton Park was two-sided for the evening, with neither of the end terraces in use for a game watched by 3,475.

Carlisle created the first chance of the night inside the first minute, with Ivorian midfielder Francois Zoko shooting just over from former Sheffield Wednesday right-back Frank Simek’s cross.

Then Town sent up camp in the home half, forcing three corner in quick succession, the last of them from an Anthony Pilkington drive which was tipped over by goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Having failed to find range with the corners, set-piece specialist Joey Gudjonsson drove a fifth-minute free-kick into the Carlisle wall, but the Icelandic midfielder’s eighth-minute flag kick caused Carlisle problems, and from the partial clearance, Scott Arfield tested Collin with an accurate shot.

Jordan Rhodes then got goalside of Ian Harte, earlier booked for a foul on Joe Garner, but his lob ended up in the side-netting.

It was to be an even first half, however, and after Zoko won a free-kick which brought a caution for Lee Peltier, Berrett swung in a ball which had the Town defence scrambling.

Veteran midfielder Paul Thirlwell came close after picking up possession when Craig Curran won a 50:50 clash with Gary Naysmith on halfway.

The ex-Sunderland man raced away towards goal, drew Alex Smithies but shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Smithies was looking assured, and dealt calmly with another awkward cross from the impressive Simek.

At the other end, Jamie McCombe met another Gudjonsson corner, Town’s sixth of the opening period, but saw his header held under the bar.

Town were forced to defend desperately on the half hour, when Berrett’s shot was blocked by Naysmith before Gary Madine’s follow-up was hacked to safety.