Carlisle United 1-0 Bradford City: Huntington header puts Blues fourth

The Carlisle-born defender headed home a corner from fellow Cumbrian Taylor Charters in the 34th minute at Brunton Park.

And it earned Paul Simpson's side three points in front of 8,296 their biggest home crowd of the season.

The Blues could have added more goals in an energetic performance, with Morgan Feeney and Jordan Gibson unable to convert great chances.

For the Bantams, ex-Carlisle frontman Andy Cook missed some good opportunities as their wait for a first win at Carlisle's ground since 1985 continued.

The result saw United move three points clear of their visitors and up three places in the table ahead of their remaining game of 2022 at Crewe Alexandra.

Carlisle put on an improved showing from their last outing at Northampton, with the fit-again Jon Mellish named man of the match for an influential display, and the recalled Jack Stretton also playing his part in United's first-half dominance.

They were two of three changes to the XI, with Mellish replacing Corey Whelan in defence, Stretton handed a first start since October 29 in place of top scorer Kristian Dennis, and Gibson replacing injured Ryan Edmondson in attack.

Bradford boss Hughes also made two changes, recalling defender Romoney Crichlow and attacker Abo Eisa in place of Timi Odusina and Scott Banks for the Bantams' first game in more than three weeks.

United made most of the attacking running in the opening stages, with Simpson's changes appearing to have refreshed the Blues.

After an even opening ten minutes, Mellish broke forward from defence and eventually got the ball back after a battle on the edge of the box.

He went through on goal but his firm finish was saved by Harry Lewis.

Minutes later, Stretton broke the visiting defensive line but was unable to square for a team-mate, while Owen Moxon was denied from 25 yards by a Crichlow block.

That came in a spell of urgent Carlisle attacking which saw Simpson's side twice go close when Lewis leapt to tip over a Callum Guy shot, and then when the keeper denied Feeney with a goalline block.

United, though, remained the dominant attacking force, with Mellish's pace when breaking from the back restoring a crucial element to their play.

And, after another counter-attack forced a corner, they took the lead.

Huntington heads the only goal (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Their opener was made and taken in Cumbria as a set-piece from Maryport's Charters found Carlisle-born Huntington free at the back post.

The experienced centre-half made no mistake to head home his second for the club at the Waterworks End.

It was a lead United certainly deserved on the balance of things, and Bradford offered little in response other than a Harry Chapman shot that dipped over the bar.

That was greeted by a song of "We've had a shot" from the travelling fans, reflecting their side's meagre first-half efforts.

Bradford stepped things up after the break, with Chapman almost supplying Cook as the ex-Carlisle striker came more into the game.

Charters blocked an Abo Eisa shot and Cook steered an effort wide.

Carlisle should then have doubled their lead when Jack Armer sent Mellish into space on the left, but when his cut-back reached Gibson in front of goal, the ex-Bradford man somehow blazed over.

Moments later, Armer kept a Moxon free-kick in play as Huntington arrived to finish, only for Mellish to divert his volley over the bar.

Mellish had moved into midfield to try and disrupt Bradford's play, buth then it was Cook's turn to squander a great chance at the other end, as he shot wide after a quick Bradford break on the hour mark.

Cook then headed another delivery wide at the back post as Hughes' side threatened again, Wright then hitting a shot against team-mate Cook after Guy had given the ball away deep in United territory.

Simpson then replaced Stretton with Dennis for the last 20 minutes as Carlisle tried to see their lead home, Hughes responding by sending on big frontman Vadaine Oliver for Eisa, and later introducing two more subs in Banks and Levi Sutton.

United then came close to a second with 11 minutes to go as Moxon saw a free-kick blocked by a Bradford arm, leading to another free-kick on the edge of the box - his next attempt flashing just wide via a Bradford touch.

The visitors' remaining efforts were in vain and Carlisle saw home a victory which was met with a big cheer from the 8,000+ crowd.

United: Holy, Feeney, Huntington, Mellish, Ellis, Armer, Guy, Moxon, Charters, Gibson, Stretton (Dennis 70). Not used: Kelly, Hilton, Sho-Silva, Whelan, Devitt, Harris.

Goal: Huntington 34.

Bradford: Lewis, Halliday, Foulds, Platt, Crichlow, Smallwood (Sutton 76), Gilliead, Chapman (Banks 76), Wright, Eisa (Oliver 71), Cook. Not used: Doyle, Songo’o, Odusina, Pereira.

Booked: Chapman, Wright.

Ref: Adam Herczeg.

Crowd: 8,296 (1,314 Bradford fans).