Carlisle United 2-2 Stevenage

Last updated on 23 March 2024.From the section League One37

Terence Vancooten's 96th-minute leveller saw Stevenage bravely battle back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Carlisle.

Striker Daniel Butterworth's fine brace put strugglers Carlisle on course for what would have been their first home win in League One for nearly three months.

But Alex MacDonald's 82nd-minute penalty - having been fouled by Dylan McGeouch - and Vancooten's injury-time equaliser stunned the hosts at Brunton Park.

Butterworth scored in either half as the Cumbrians, who had lost 12 of their previous 13 league games, looked favourites for only their sixth win all season.

He gave Carlisle a welcome start when he fired them into a 13th-minute lead with a sweet strike.

Boro boss Steve Evans made a triple substitution at the break to spice things up - and it nearly paid dividends as Nathan Thompson's goalbound volley was charged down just in the nick of time.

Butterworth bagged his second goal of the afternoon shortly after the hour mark, his clinical left-footed strike seemingly having secured the Blues' first home win since New Year's Day.

However, in an incredible twist, MacDonald's penalty and Vancooten's close-range effort turned this gripping contest on its head.

Match report supplied by PA Media.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Carlisle

Formation 3-5-2

40LewisBooked at 77mins
26Barclay
5Lavelle
22Mellish
18Ellis
21McGeouch
33NealBooked at 67mins
15ChartersBooked at 45mins
3Armer
35Armstrong
11ButterworthBooked at 72minsSubstituted forDiamondat 79'minutes

Substitutes

7Gibson
10McCalmont
13Breeze
19Robinson
24Maguire
27Diamond
32Emmanuel

Stevenage

Formation 5-3-2

12MacGillivray
10FreemanBooked at 29mins
6Sweeney
4Thompson
17Burns
3Butler
23ThompsonSubstituted forThompsonat 45'minutes
11RobertsBooked at 39minsSubstituted forGuinness-Walkerat 45'minutes
8Forster-CaskeySubstituted forVancootenat 15'minutes
9ListSubstituted forMacDonaldat 68'minutes
29HemmingsSubstituted forOliverat 45'minutes

Substitutes

1Ashby-Hammond
7MacDonald
14Smith
15Vancooten
22Guinness-Walker
24Thompson
33Oliver

Referee:: Daniel Middleton
Attendance:: 7,634

Match Stats

Home TeamCarlisleAway TeamStevenage

Possession: Home40%; Away60%

Shots: Home8; Away16

Shots on Target: Home4; Away3

Corners: Home1; Away14

Fouls: Home13; Away7

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Carlisle United 2, Stevenage 2.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Carlisle United 2, Stevenage 2.

90'+6'
Goal!
Goal! Carlisle United 2, Stevenage 2. Terence Vancooten (Stevenage) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
90'+6'
Post update
Attempt saved. Vadaine Oliver (Stevenage) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
90'+6'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Terence Vancooten (Stevenage) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Vadaine Oliver with a headed pass.
90'+5'
Post update
Dan Sweeney (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+5'
Post update
Foul by Luke Armstrong (Carlisle United).
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Nick Freeman (Stevenage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Sam Lavelle.
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Finley Burns (Stevenage) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
90'+1'
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Luke Armstrong.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Finley Burns (Stevenage) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Terence Vancooten.
90'
Post update
Dan Sweeney (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'
Post update
Foul by Jack Diamond (Carlisle United).
89'
Post update
Foul by Nesta Guinness-Walker (Stevenage).
89'
Post update
Ben Barclay (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'
Post update
Attempt saved. Jack Diamond (Carlisle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Taylor Charters.
86'
Post update
Foul by Nesta Guinness-Walker (Stevenage).
86'
Post update
Harrison Neal (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85'
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Jon Mellish.

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Comments

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37 comments

Comment posted by dougie wonga, at 17:57 23 Mar
Tough season Carlisle, but, I'll say this for you, your support has held up well.
Blank canvas with the new ownership. I reckon you may have a crack at a quick return, once the owners can influence stuff. The signs are positive.
You'll be welcome at The Mazuma next season as valued supporters.
Reply posted by John Halewood-Dodd, at 21:20 23 Mar
John Halewood-Dodd replied:
Fair shout!
Over 7,600 there today to support a side who haven’t won a home game this year.
The away support is even more commendable. One of the best in the division despite such poor form and distances to travel. UTB’s!!
Comment posted by Kevin Clark, at 17:56 23 Mar
2-0 up in the 82nd minute! Carlisle couldn't win a raffle if they bought the only ticket.
Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:18 23 Mar
Ovemannen replied:
Such an original comment
Comment posted by Finchy, at 18:00 23 Mar
Snatching a draw from the jaws of a win! The story of the season
Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:19 23 Mar
Ovemannen replied:
Such an original comment
Comment posted by Alan Honeybilk, at 19:03 23 Mar
Just waiting for Evan's moaning to appear.
Must be the refs fault we fail to beat bottom of the table.
Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:10 24 Mar
StevenageGunner72 replied:
Evans rescued us from non league relegation, shows me respect
Comment posted by Steven , at 17:58 23 Mar
Really, that's a new low point. Do you praise Stevenage for still going. Mentally I think the CUFC players are shot to pieces. We can score first but simply capitulate when a goal against us goes in. Simmo said , Players can still make a case for next season. Well, 2 nil up and should be closing it out. That's a bitter pill to take.
Comment posted by northofwatford, at 18:08 23 Mar
Good goals by Carlisle. But the defence were like headless chickens in the last ten minutes.
Not convinced about Armstrong as a centre forward and the failure to capitalise on the chances was diabolical.
Comment posted by Leewood1988, at 18:44 23 Mar
Simmo needs to make use of the Piateks money over the summer and bring 6 or 7 better players in to improve the starting eleven!
The team that have had a chance all this season are not the way forward next season.
Reply posted by Steven , at 19:31 23 Mar
Steven replied:
Bang on Lee. A mass clearout is needed here, starting ASAP. They aren't up to it or have the desire. The Piateks have the right people in their businesses back home or it wouldn't be successful. Clearly the guys on the pitch aren't up to the job, so cit them adrift.
Comment posted by jlukey, at 18:09 23 Mar
I don't know what to think. Maybe: what a competition!; guts shown by both sides; both sides - what a waste of an opportunity.

Just be glad of the point.
Reply posted by Andy C, at 22:05 24 Mar
Andy C replied:
Stevenage Borough's manager always shows plenty of guts
Comment posted by beatles63, at 06:51 24 Mar
That’s it. The Cumbrians are down !
Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 20:37 23 Mar
This result cements Portsmouth position forthe first play off side minimum......with Oxford and Stevenage to play each other nether side can obtain more points than Portsmouth
Comment posted by Owls49, at 20:59 23 Mar
Need to be chasing winners, not equalisers in the last few minutes against the likes of Carlisle, if Borough are serious about the playoffs!
Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:53 23 Mar
Unlucky again Carlisle, some seasons no matter what you do nothing works, make a quick return next season because the results you should've had would mean you'd be on 40 points min now and in with a chance.
Comment posted by Lemon Detector, at 23:40 23 Mar
It was a typical champagne performance from Carlisle for 80 minutes before bad luck scuppered a deserved victory. Relegation seems certain now but this season has merely delayed by 12 months the club's charge to the Premier League under the Piatak-Simpson cartel.
Reply posted by gazza96, at 11:43 24 Mar
gazza96 replied:
More likely a charge to the National League, 24 points out
of 117 is embarrassing!!
Comment posted by David Ronald, at 19:16 23 Mar
Thanks Cumbrians. Great help for us OUFC supporters.
Comment posted by home, at 20:30 23 Mar
If butterworth is the answer then 'national league in 2026? is the question
Reply posted by DC, at 20:38 23 Mar
DC replied:
How many goals did Carlisle united score today ? Who scored their goals?
Comment posted by Kevin, at 18:45 23 Mar
Still a chance of Stevenage getting promoted. Two Herts teams in the championship would be interesting.
Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:11 24 Mar
StevenageGunner72 replied:
Boring Wood will surprise everyone, just watch
Comment posted by JE-FF-ERY-lfc, at 18:29 23 Mar
Carlisle well and truly bottled it. Relegation is too good for em, be off to the Cumberland Pub league and be done with it.
Reply posted by DC, at 18:55 23 Mar
DC replied:
If Carlisle United were going for the play offs and got a last minute goal against a team which hadn't won at home for ages, and only won once in ages , you would never hear the last of how crap a result it was. There would be none of this "brave comeback" . It would be considered a bad result and said that if you can't beat the bottom, by far, team then you don't deserve to get the play offs

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Portsmouth	39	24	11	4	63	32	31	83
2	Derby	40	24	6	10	69	35	34	78

3	Bolton	39	22	8	9	71	43	28	74
4	Peterborough	38	21	8	9	74	46	28	71
5	Barnsley	38	20	11	7	70	48	22	71
6	Oxford Utd	39	18	9	12	62	52	10	63

7	Stevenage	39	17	11	11	51	40	11	62
8	Lincoln City	39	16	13	10	56	33	23	61
9	Blackpool	39	17	9	13	57	42	15	60
10	Leyton Orient	39	16	10	13	44	44	0	58
11	Northampton	40	15	8	17	51	60	-9	53
12	Wigan	39	17	7	15	53	48	5	50
13	Wycombe	38	13	11	14	50	49	1	50
14	Bristol Rovers	38	14	8	16	48	57	-9	50
15	Exeter	39	13	8	18	33	52	-19	47
16	Charlton	39	10	15	14	57	58	-1	45
17	Shrewsbury	39	13	5	21	29	55	-26	44
18	Reading	39	13	9	17	55	57	-2	42
19	Burton	39	10	9	20	31	51	-20	39
20	Cambridge	38	10	9	19	32	55	-23	39

21	Port Vale	38	9	9	20	36	61	-25	36
22	Cheltenham	37	9	8	20	30	50	-20	35
23	Fleetwood	39	7	13	19	41	61	-20	34
24	Carlisle	39	5	9	25	35	69	-34	24

Line-ups

Carlisle

Substitutes

Stevenage

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by dougie wonga, at 17:57 23 Mardougie wonga

Reply posted by John Halewood-Dodd, at 21:20 23 MarJohn Halewood-Dodd

Comment posted by Kevin Clark, at 17:56 23 MarKevin Clark

Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:18 23 MarOvemannen

Comment posted by Finchy, at 18:00 23 MarFinchy

Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:19 23 MarOvemannen

Comment posted by Alan Honeybilk, at 19:03 23 MarAlan Honeybilk

Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:10 24 MarStevenageGunner72

Comment posted by Steven , at 17:58 23 MarSteven

Comment posted by northofwatford, at 18:08 23 Marnorthofwatford

Comment posted by Leewood1988, at 18:44 23 MarLeewood1988

Reply posted by Steven , at 19:31 23 MarSteven

Comment posted by jlukey, at 18:09 23 Marjlukey

Reply posted by Andy C, at 22:05 24 MarAndy C

Comment posted by beatles63, at 06:51 24 Marbeatles63

Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 20:37 23 MarThis name is awaiting moderation

Comment posted by Owls49, at 20:59 23 MarOwls49

Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:53 23 MarTheGaryGangPeckham

Comment posted by Lemon Detector, at 23:40 23 MarLemon Detector

Reply posted by gazza96, at 11:43 24 Margazza96

Comment posted by David Ronald, at 19:16 23 MarDavid Ronald

Comment posted by home, at 20:30 23 Marhome

Reply posted by DC, at 20:38 23 MarDC

Comment posted by Kevin, at 18:45 23 MarKevin

Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:11 24 MarStevenageGunner72

Comment posted by JE-FF-ERY-lfc, at 18:29 23 MarJE-FF-ERY-lfc

Reply posted by DC, at 18:55 23 MarDC

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Comment posted by dougie wonga, at 17:57 23 Mar

Reply posted by John Halewood-Dodd, at 21:20 23 Mar

Comment posted by Kevin Clark, at 17:56 23 Mar

Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:18 23 Mar

Comment posted by Finchy, at 18:00 23 Mar

Reply posted by Ovemannen, at 22:19 23 Mar

Comment posted by Alan Honeybilk, at 19:03 23 Mar

Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:10 24 Mar

Comment posted by Steven , at 17:58 23 Mar

Comment posted by northofwatford, at 18:08 23 Mar

Comment posted by Leewood1988, at 18:44 23 Mar

Reply posted by Steven , at 19:31 23 Mar

Comment posted by jlukey, at 18:09 23 Mar

Reply posted by Andy C, at 22:05 24 Mar

Comment posted by beatles63, at 06:51 24 Mar

Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 20:37 23 Mar

Comment posted by Owls49, at 20:59 23 Mar

Comment posted by TheGaryGangPeckham, at 20:53 23 Mar

Comment posted by Lemon Detector, at 23:40 23 Mar

Reply posted by gazza96, at 11:43 24 Mar

Comment posted by David Ronald, at 19:16 23 Mar

Comment posted by home, at 20:30 23 Mar

Reply posted by DC, at 20:38 23 Mar

Comment posted by Kevin, at 18:45 23 Mar

Reply posted by StevenageGunner72, at 12:11 24 Mar

Comment posted by JE-FF-ERY-lfc, at 18:29 23 Mar

Reply posted by DC, at 18:55 23 Mar