A sizeable United following made the short journey over and the weather had relented, with a few rays of sunshine coming through the clouds. Peter Keen for Luke Weaver was the only change with Peter Murphy seemingly not fit after missing the midweek defeat at Southend. Hartlepool restored Michael Barron to their starting line-up after injury.

United were the first to get their attack into gear and following a second minute corner, they duly took an early lead. Dave Morley's ball over the Hartlepool midfield found Richie Foran who shrugged off his defender well and shot across Anthony Williams. The 'Pool keeper made a parry but the ball fell invitingly to Chay Hews who claimed his second goal of the campaign. United were still calling the tune. They forced their second corner but Dave Rogers just failed to connect after a good swinging delivery from Hews.

But that was as good as it got for Carlisle. For the rest of the half the home team took almost total charge. A header over Peter Keen's cross-bar in 10 minutes was the first of many incidents in the visitor's penalty area. Two minutes after this Mark Birch collected a booking for a foul on Mark Robinson. This indiscretion means a suspension for Birch, who has already served one ban carried over from the end of the previous campaign. The home team soon levelled things up when Gordon Simms was cautioned for a poor challenge on Foran. Robinson's 17th minute free kick went past the wall and struck the inside of Keen's post. Three minutes after this major let-off veteran winger Paul Stephenson produced an enterprising run and shot that was just off-target.

Hartlepool were well on top and winning all the balls in midfield. There was little sign at this stage of Carlisle's attack. Mark Tinkler volleyed narrowly over on 29 minutes. The equaliser that had been coming for ages arrived in the 33rd minute. A corner was not properly cleared and two shots were blocked before the ball fell for Tinkler who slammed home to level things up at 1-1. Within two minutes Tinkler fired over the top. Carlisle needed to regroup desperately. On 37 minutes they almost retook the lead. A corner fell to Morley but he seemed to rush his shot which was drilled wide. There was panic at the other end as Keen dropped a long throw-in from James Sharp and Whitehead was forced into a desperate clearance. Gordon Watson shot wide as the home team continued to call the tune.

United finished the half on a higher note as the dangerous McGill produced an excellent run and cross that was dummied cleverly by Foran but the ball by-passed two players in the six-yard box. Roddy Collins would have had some stern words during the interval. He reacted to the home team's dominance by removing goalscorer Hews and bringing on young Michael Jack.

The home team looked menacing again though, as the second half took shape. Watson, looking more and more influential, beat Rogers with ease but then shot wide as Keen came off his line. McGill was the most dangerous outlet for the Cumbrians but they were seeing less and less of the ball. Watson turned sharply on 57 minutes and fired wide. The warning signs were still there.

On 59 minutes came the incident which disfigured the whole afternoon. 'Pool won a free-kick just outside the box but before it was even taken, Andrews and Henderson got involved in a scuffle and Andrews was shown the red card. Henderson soon followed. With ten versus ten, the game became more open. On 65 minutes, it was Hartlepool who took advantage of the extra space to take the lead. Watson, undoubtedly man of the match, outstripped Winstanley and finished well past Keen. Tony Hopper replace Mark Birch. Jack produced a decent run and shot. For a while Roddy Collins's progressive tactics seemed to be bringing the Cumbrians back into it.

Dickinson replaced Halliday. A clever Jack cross deceived everyone inside the box. Widdrington entered the book for punching the ball away after a penalty appeal was turned down. The game was still simmering. On 78 minutes Jack's free kick found Winstanley hovering at the far post but his header flew just over. United were still in the game, at this stage. They were virtually out of it on 81 minutes, however. Hopper produced a late challenge that referee Joslin clearly missed. However a quick word with his assistant saw Hopper become the third man to be ordered off.

The result was gaping holes in United's threadbare defence. Collins was desperate to try and get something back and the home side exploited this. From a free kick, United were caught short and although they blocked two attempts, from the third chance Adam Boyd didn't miss. It was all over. Rogers did manage an impressive overhead kick that just failed to match Hopper's effort at Southend. The home team had several chances to make the scoreline even more emphatic but thankfully they failed to take them.

Al's Verdict : Awful. I really do wonder how we are going to get out of this mess. It's a different type of football, but it ain't working, Roddy. After a great start, Hartlepool were all over us and 3-1 was almost an insult to their superiority. With two players sent off, discipline is still a major problem and the whole thing seems to be falling apart at the moment. Although Yer Man says he's got more money to spend, all the changes up to now haven't made much difference. Depressing days to be a Carlisle fan, I'm afraid.