Very odd occasion watching a league game at Deepdale with North End playing in it, on yet another soggy Lancastrian afternoon, the club played host to flood ravaged Carlisle United who took on Notts County. A decent attendance of 3336 of whom the majority had come from Carlisle, with free transport by both road and rail. The Cumbrian support was vocal throughout the match and it actually made for a decent atmosphere in the ground considering only two stands were being used. Carlisle started well and after early pressure were ahead after a clumsy County tackle in the penalty area resulted in a nailed on penalty although the ever whinging Roy Carroll found something to complain about as he has been doing for years. Grainger who was a danger all throughout the first half blasted the ball past Carroll who dived the wrong way. Carlisle played some good flowing football in the early stages running County ragged. County were possibly lucky not to be reduced in numbers when what looked like a two footed tackle by Alan Smith caught Grainger however he got the benefit of the doubt from the referee. Ibehre who I last saw scoring for Barnsley against North End last March was a handful for the County defence and was lucky to have the excellent Grainger planting super crosses into the box for him to get his head on. County's back line struggled with anything in the air and keeper Carroll looked uncertain although seemed to get some lenient protection from the referee. County had a brief spell of pressure and actually could have scored twice Burke after some good work from McLeod on the flank curled a great effort against the post whilst almost immediately Gillespie pulled off a fine one handed save to keep the scores level. Ibehre had a goal bound effort blocked by a good five men in the six yard box was not to be denied on the stroke of half time, when a long throw in from he right was flicked onto Ibehre at the back post , he buried it and you got the feeling the Cumbrians were home and hosed. The second half did not have the excitement of the first half and when Ibehre hammered home his second after the ball had rebounded off a post it was game up with 30 minutes to go. Credit to County they did not give up and they had several chances to score however all chances seemed to fall to Jon Stead who these days does not seem to be able to trap a bag of cement let alone a football. Carlisle looked dangerous on the break but declared at three as they ran out easy winners. Fair play to both sets of fans who gave North End a standing ovation for the help they have given to Carlisle, it was a nice touch. Carlisle seem to be on a roll and could be play off bound if they keep their spirits up during these difficult time they could be very dangerous opponents as the season comes to a close. Carlisle Unite 3 Notts County 0 Att 3336 A couple of bits of action including the penalty