Carlisle Utd amazingly beat League Two leaders Port Vale 3-2 at home today!

Utd were 3-0, However Port Vale stormed back and Utd had to thank their goalkeeper Breeze for an added time penalty save!

Carlisle goalkeeper Gabe Breeze made a dramatic added-time penalty save to secure the relegation-threatened side a vital 3-2 win against League Two leaders Port Vale at Brunton Park.

Carlisle took the lead in the 36th minute through Georgie Kelly's fourth goal in three games and they doubled their lead seven minutes later through Matty Dennis.

The Cumbrians' excellent performance continued in the 49th minute when Aaron Hayden got his third of the season to make it 3-0, but Jayden Stockley pulled one back for the visitors in the 61st minute and their comeback continued through Sam Hart in the 70th minute.

Port Vale had a last-gasp chance to complete the turnaround through a Lorent Tolaj penalty, but Breeze produced an excellent stop.

Carlisle took the lead through Kelly, who produced an excellent finish as he latched onto a Sean Fusire pass and hit a shot into the bottom left corner from the right side of the box.

The Cumbrians doubled their lead after Kelly slid a ball into the area to Fusire whose shot hit the post but Dennis was there to tap in the rebound.

Carlisle got their third just after the break as Hayden headed home, but Port Vale pulled one back as Stockley headed in from close range after Ben Garrity had headed across goal.

Darren Moore's side then got a second, as substitute Hart tapped home at the back post after the Cumbrians failed to deal with a Mitch Clark cross.

The Valiants were then awarded a penalty in added time after a high boot from Hayden on Stockley, but Breeze guessed the right way and saved Tolaj's penalty to secure the points.

Match report supplied by PA Media.

St Etienne beat Lyon 2-1 yesterday to pull themselves up to being equal on points with Le Harve , who with a better goal difference of four remain above St Etienne in 16th place.

However, the match was sadly marred by trouble.

The Ligue 1 match between local rivals Saint-Etienne and Lyon was suspended for around 40 minutes after an assistant referee was hit by an object thrown from the stands.

Visitors Lyon, trailing 1-0, were about to take a 44th-minute throw-in when Mehdi Rahmouni held his head after being hit by something.

French newspaper L'Equipe said Rahmouni had been hit by a coin thrown from the stands.

Lyon's medical team treated Rahmouni before referee Francois Letexier led the players and officials left the pitch.

Play did eventually resume after a lengthy break, with Saint-Etienne going on to win 2-1.

"We're going to restart the game because the assistant referee feels up to restarting," Noel Mannino, the league matchday representative, told AFP.

"At the next incident, the match will be stopped for good."

Lyon fans were banned from travelling to the match because of previous incidents.

Saint-Etienne had previously been threatened with having two ends of the ground closed after recent "massive use of pyrotechnic devices and verbal abuse".

In March, their match at Montpellier was abandoned after home fans threw flares on to the pitch and part of a stand caught fire.

Carlisle Utd scored in the 92nd minute to draw 1-1 away to Accrington Stanley.

Still in 23rd Place and four points behind Tranmere Rovers, who also drew today.

Two games to go!

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

www.bbc.co.uk

Mark Hughes was unable to steer Carlisle United away from relegation to the National League

Carlisle United have been relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town.

The Cumbrians started the day knowing that they needed all three points at Whaddon Road and for Tranmere Rovers to fail to win at home to Crewe Alexandra for there to be a chance of survival.

But Tranmere won 2-0 to leave the gap to safety at an insurmountable seven points going into the final game of the campaign.

Despite Carlisle taking the lead in the 29th minute through Matthew Dennis, they were quickly pegged back with goals from Jordan Thomas and Ashley Hay to go into the break trailing.

Georgie Kelly scored for Carlisle with less than 20 minutes remaining to level the match, but George Miller added a third for the hosts in stoppage time.

Carlisle will join already relegated Morecambe in the National League next season.

Kelly missed an early chance for Carlisle, blasting over the bar in the 10th minute, but Gabe Breeze saved well from Hay at the other end.

The visitors struck first when Stephen Wearne flicked on Aaron Hayden's ball and Dennis raced through and beat Joe Day with a low finish in the 29th minute.

Cheltenham were awarded a penalty kick when Breeze was adjudged to have tripped Jordan Thomas and he converted from the spot in the 33rd minute.

The hosts led when Ethon Archer's ball over the top was reached by Hay, who finished confidently in the 45th minute.

Carlisle levelled when Elliot Embleton's cross was nodded in from close range by Kelly in the 73rd minute.

However, Miller scored three minutes into stoppage time to seal the points for mid-table Cheltenham, who sit 15th, and cap a dismal day for the Cumbrian side.

'Don't like seeing a team relegated'

Cheltenham Town boss Michael Flynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"We were excellent first half. The second we looked a bit flat at times but played well on the counter.

"It's always tough seeing a team get relegated, I don't like it and it doesn't give me any satisfaction.

"Mark Hughes is a smashing manager and Carlisle is a club with loads of tradition, I hope they bounce back next season and I wish them all the best."

Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria:

"It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club.

"It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today.

"We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take."

Relegation natural result of chaotic season

Adam Lanigan, BBC Sport, North East & Cumbria

Carlisle return to the National League for the first time since 2005 and only the second time in their history after a dismal and chaotic campaign.

The hangover from League One relegation 12 months ago continued into this campaign with manager Paul Simpson sacked after just four games.

The supposed revolution of a possession-based game under Mike Williamson backfired spectacularly as he was shown the door in February after only four wins in 22 games, but having been allowed to bring in 11 players in the January transfer window.

Manchester United and Wales legend Mark Hughes was brought in to try to save the Blues, but the salvage operation came too late.

It says everything that despite Carlisle's best run of form for two years - 10 points from five matches - they have not taken the survival fight to the final day.

They have been in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October and ultimately the season ends with what the club deserves - relegation.

Their stay in the National League lasted only one season 20 years ago, and their Americans owners will be desperate to ensure an EFL return as quickly as possible.

St Etienne went down 3-1 away to Strasbourg. St Etienne are still second bottom. Strasbourg are in 5th place.

Carlisle drew 2-2 at home to Salford City yesterday.

They finished second bottom of League Two and will play in the National League North next season.

St Etienne got a vital 2-0 away win against Reims yesterday.

They are now one point behind Le Harve, with one game to go.

Next Saturday St Etienne play Toulouse at home. Toulouse are safe in 12th place and have no chance of a European spot.

St Etienne went down 3-2 at home to Toulouse last night. They have been relegated to Ligue 2.

Hughes to stay as Carlisle boss in National League

IMAGE SOURCE, REX FEATURES

Image caption,

Mark Hughes led Carlisle United to three consecutive wins in April - the first time they had achieved that feat in more than two years

• Published 20 May 2025

  www.bbc.co.uk

Carlisle United manager Mark Hughes will remain with the club following their relegation from League Two to the National League.

Hughes took over at Brunton Park in February after Mike Williamson was sacked, with Carlisle five points from safety and 18 games remaining.

The former Wales, Manchester City and Fulham boss could not keep the club in the league, however, and they were finally relegated after defeat at Cheltenham Town in their penultimate game of the season.

"Since joining back in February, the support I've received from the fans has been exceptional - thank you," Hughes told the club website, external.

"I hope to see more of the same next season as we aim for an immediate return to the EFL."

"Mark brought the squad together during the closing stretch of the season and gave us a fighting chance," chairman Tom Piatak added.

"His leadership, composure, and connection with the players was clear, and we're confident in his ability to lead us forward."

Despite their relegation, Hughes reinvigorated his side for the end-of-season run-in as they lost just once at home under his tenure and won three consecutive games for the first time in more than two years.

A run of 10 points from four games in April came too late to pull them out of trouble, however, with Hughes wanting to remain in post despite the drop into non-league football.

News of Hughes' continuing in the job is the latest in a busy few weeks at the club since relegation was confirmed.

Previous sporting director Rob Clarkson departed less than 48 hours after Carlisle's fate was sealed.

Marc Tierney has been brought in from Altrincham as the Blues' new head of football operations, while Greg Abbott, a former manager at Brunton Park, has now left the club after three years as head of recruitment as the club seek to prepare for their first spell in the National League since 2005.

Hughes 'forged connection with fractious fanbase'

Analysis - BBC Radio Cumbria sports editor Paul Newton

He may not have been able to keep Carlisle United up – and there are some in the fanbase who feel he had enough time to do so – however, the retention of Mark Hughes has been roundly welcomed in the city.

Carlisle were a mess on the pitch when he took over in February. Hughes was quick to recognise an unfit, top-heavy squad and was ruthless where needed.

Performances and, to an extent, results did improve towards the back end of the campaign while Hughes was also able to forge a connection with a fractious and disconnected fanbase.

While those are clear positives to his appointment, there are negatives given a lack of experience managing at National League level and no promotion to his name.

Carlisle's significant financial backing under their American owners, the Piatak family, will mean there is an expectancy for United to bounce back at the first attempt.

Whether Hughes can deliver that remains to be seen.

Orient. Gutted they lost to Charlton.

St Etienne have so far played four pre season games. Winning Two! They did!!😀 And losing two as normal service is resumed…

Their Ligue Two campaign kicks off on Sat 9th August. Stade Laval away.

Carlisle Utd have played six pre season games so far. Winning three😀losing two Ach well!) and drawing one.

Their National League campaign starts on Sat 9th August, away at Woking.

Carlisle Utd made a winning start (thankfully!) to their National League campaign.

They won 2-0 at Woking.

In their first game back down in Ligue 2. St Etienne were away yesterday and drew 3-3 against Stade Laval.

Carlisle drew 3-3 at home yesterday to Boreham Wood and are 5th in the National League.

St Etienne beat Rodez 4-0 at home yesterday and top Ligue 2.

Huddersfield Town 1-0 v Stevenage. and up to 2nd place. Wholesale changes in the squad this season but seems to be settling in nicely. Leo Castledine on board.

Edited August 24, 2025Aug 24 by OneTommyLangley

Carlisle Utd drew 1-1 with Solihull Moors at home last Tuesday.

They won 1-0 away to Wealdstone on Saturday and play Braintree Town at home today.

Currently sitting 7th in the National League .

St Etienne won 1-0 away to Boulogne on Saturday.

They currently lead Ligue Two on goal difference!

Leo Castledine on loan at Huddersfield

Nice volley 1-0 v Sunderland 10 mins😎

Guiu started for Sunderland.🙂

Edited August 26, 2025Aug 26 by OneTommyLangley

Carlisle Utd beat, yes actually beat, Braintree Town 5-0 at home on Monday!

They did!!😀

Up to the ‘heady heights’ of Third Place in the National League!

Edited August 27, 2025Aug 27 by erskblue

Carlisle Utd lost yesterday. 2-1 away to Sutton Utd.Back to normal !

In 5th place in National League.

St Etienne drew 1-1 at home with Grenoble Foot yesterday.

They still remain joint top of Ligue 2.

Midweek Huddersfield Town progressed in the carabao cup with a win on pens v Sunderland ( 1-1 FT with goals for Castledine & Guiu)😎😎

Yesterday Lost 3-1 away to Barnsley and sit 6th in League 1.

Carlisle Utd beat Truro 3-0 at home yesterday.

Up to third in National League.

That’s a long way for a game, for both teams and their respective supporters!

434 miles and nearly 7 hours of driving!!

St Etienne didn’t play this weekend, due to the international break.

Edited September 7, 2025Sep 7 by erskblue

Carlisle Utd beat Aldershot Town 2-0 at home in the National League yesterday.

Still third in the National League.

St Etienne beat Clermont Foot 2-1 away yesterday and remain top of Ligue 2.

Carlisle Utd won 1-0 away to Altringham on Saturday. Second in National League.

St Etienne won 3-2 at home against Reims on Saturday. And still top Ligue 2.

Huddersfield Town drew 0-0 with bottom club Burton in League 1, while Strasbourg won 2-3 away to Paris FC including goals from Paez and Emegha. Ben Chilwill played a full 90 mins.

Carlisle Utd went down 5-0 to York City last night. Moving on…

Huddersfield Town beat Exeter 1-0 away, goal from Leo Castledine 🙂