The Cumbrians created all the best chances but not for the first time this season, they were profligate in front of goal. Roddy Collins had Ian Stevens on the bench but chose to bring on Jonny Allan and Steve Skinner instead.

The pitch was a little heavier than usual and this didn't make for the best football. United, who drafted in Tony Hopper for the suspended Mark Birch took a bit of time to get into their stride. They had a couple of shots blocked early on then Mark Winstanley got on the end of a corner but fired straight at keeper Lee Butler. Then referee Cable went down in the middle of the pitch with what looked like a pulled muscle and had to be replaced by the linesman. A fourth official was summoned from the crowd. The new ref didn't exactly endear himself to the home supporters with some baffling decisions.

Steve Halliday then wasted a good chance when a cross in from the right was slightly behind him and he couldn't get enough power to beat Butler who saved well low down.

Carlisle could have gone in front a few minutes later when Halliday wriggled his way around the keeper but his shot was cleared from virtually off the line by Paul Stoneman. 'Fax had created little of note but a mis-hit shot on the half hour from Neil Redfearn almost brought a goal as Keen was relieved to grab on to a deflection just six yards out. Then Brendan McGill produced the dribble of the day, going past two players to set up Steve Soley whose rushed shot was pushed away for a corner by Butler.

Richie Foran got himself booked for an off-the-ball clash as tempers flared. It was an encounter spoilt throughout by niggardly fouls.

A Paul Harsley free-kick which was curled over the wall brought a tidy and timely save from Keen who grabbed the ball at his far post. The half-time interval saw no changes in personnel and the home team continued to pose by far the greater threat in the second period, even though their play was still far from fluent.

Another Winstanley effort from the edge of the box went over the bar. Then from a corner during a period of home pressure substitute Jonny Allan managed to hook the ball wide when a goal beckoned. It was an unlucky afternoon for the Carlisle forwards.

Foran saw his close-range header splendidly pushed over by Butler after a cross in from McGill. Murphy went tumbling over in the penalty area but nothing was awarded. Dave Morley went in the book for a late challenge. The crowd were growing restless and impatient.

Roddy Collins was off the bench to argue the toss with officials as another decision went against the Cumbrians. But still United pushed forward with gusto, Allan getting away down the right channel to fire in a dangerous cross-shot that the onrushing Foran just failed to touch in as he steamed in at the far post.

Hopper tried his luck from almost 30 yards with a stinging low drive that the keeper had well covered as it flew wide. Another Harsley free kick was well executed but Keen, who had another very solid game, saved comfortably.

Towards the end another Halifax header screwed wide but it would have been a travesty if they had pinched the points. The visitors picked up two late bookings to bring the curtain down on a rather poor game.

Al's Verdict : Failure to score could cost us dear come the end of the season. Halifax were a very ordinary side but we couldn't get the ball in the net, despite creating more good chances. Our football was patchy, we gave the ball away too often and the match wasn't much of a spectacle. McGill had a terrific game with his pace and darting dribbles. He would clearly be a man Collins would love to sign permanently. Unfortunately he would probably be out of our price bracket. The lack of Stevo was also a bit mystifying, seeing as we needed a goal and the man must be match-fit to be sat on the bench.