Manager Roddy Collins made one change from Saturday, leaving out Mo Harkin and starting with Austin Berkley, who had made a good impression in each of his opening two substitute appearances.

In fine weather and with a small smattering of United fans in the ground, it was United who looked to keep the ball and play football from the off. Steve Halliday had the first chance in the 3rd minute when he put in a run and shot from 25 yards that was well wide of the right hand post.

Torquay's first attack brought them a goal. Mark Birch was adjudged to have tripped Eifion Williams just outside the box. The kick was played to Chris Brandon whose shot came back off the inside of an upright for Kevin Hill to follow up and crack in the rebound. It set the tone for the first half. The home side took charge and United were chasing shadows for long spells.

David Graham met a quick cross in the 14th minute with a sharp header that flew just wide of the right post. It took 24 minutes for Carlisle to win a corner. Stuart Elliott's delivery caused a few problems but the ball eventually curled right over the cross bar. From United's second corner four minutes later Mark Winstanley had the ball in the net after Ian Stevens had missed the first chance but referee Taylor blew up for offside.

On the half-hour it should have been two for the Gulls. Alex Russell's free kick was chipped to the far post but Dave Woozley's free header missed the target. Russell was the centre of attention again four minutes later when his left-footed effort from a tight angle was just wide. Williams collected the ball 12 yards out and turned sharply to shoot over with five minutes left in the half.

United looked lethargic and were second best to virtually every ball. They needed a quick boost and it arrived four minutes from the interval. Stevens was put through one and one with the keeper thanks to a Haddow pass. Keeper Kevin Dearden saved well but from the resulting corner taken by Elliott there was a scramble and Stevens got his head to the ball to force home the equaliser. It was scarcely deserved but the Cumbrians had to be grateful for small mercies. It was their first league goal in over 400 minutes of action this season.

Tony Hopper celebrated the vital breakthrough by getting booked. From a Steve Tully cross in added time Williams should have restored the Gulls' advantage but his header dipped just wide of the post. It must have been an animated Roddy Collins at half-time in the dressing room. He wouldn't have been pleased with the work-rate of a team who looked to be suffering from jet lag.

They came under more pressure at the start of the second period. The impressive Scottish forward Graham making a mazy run that got him to the by-line from he pulled inside and shot at Weaver, who made a good save. Collins reacted to what he was seeing by hauling off goalscorer Stevens and replacing him with Mo Harkin.

Stuart Whitehead clattered into Martin McNeil, a player who had a short trial with United in the summer, and received another booking from Taylor. On came Lee Maddison for Alex Haddow. In the 61st minute Torquay won another free kick which found its way through to Graham who couldn't convert the chance. United's defending was still very poor and Dave Morley was thrown on for Peter Murphy as Roddy sought to revert to 5-3-2. Within a few minutes his plans were in tatters. Mark Winstanley was late with a challenge and received a second booking, meaning an automatic red card. Down to ten men, United were now under the cosh.

Neville Roach came on for Eifion Williams as Roy McFarland sensed a chance to collect his first win in charge of the home team.

The vital goal duly arrived sixteen minutes from the end. Once again Graham was the architect, collecting a free kick and reaching the by line to cross for Alex Russell (pictured) to calmly convert the opening and put the home side ahead for good. Although McNeil soon got booked for Torquay, Carlisle wasted the free kick opportunity that resulted, Elliott's effort being charged down. Goalscorer Russell was then booked after a flare-up with Elliott. Elliott shot over the bar harmlessly and inside the three minutes of injury time Maddison had a chance to square the ball back to Halliday but instead chose to shoot and wasted a last chance to salvage an undeserved point.

Al's Verdict : Poor from start to finish. After Saturday, hopes were high that this game would mark a turning point for the side. Instead, the only turning point was backwards to square one as this was a very poor display, especially from a defensive viewpoint. Collins still doesn't seem 100 per cent committed to 4-4-2 and he'll have to work out a way to play and stick with it or the players' confidence could soon slide. At least we've ended the goal drought and it was no surprise to see Stevo getting it. However, the better side won on the day and we've got a long struggle ahead of us if things don't change.