What did we learn from Carlisle United's battle with Stevenage?

1 DEFENCES ON TOP

Take away the niggle, the time-wasting, the aggravation, the nonsense and both the penalty and red card that could have been, and what you had here was a pair of defences clearly on their game.

A single shot on target between the teams from 95 minutes (Owen Moxon the man responsible) tells you exactly where the strength was on Saturday.

Paul Huntington, centre, was effective at the back for United (Image: Ben Holmes)

Match ratings from stat gurus WhoScored.com go on to underline the patterns.

According to their numbers, Stevenage’s Carl Piergianni was the game’s star man – closely followed by Carlisle’s Paul Huntington.

This reflects both players’ resolute work, and also neither side’s ability to find a way to negate thosr defenders' high strengths.

While Stevenage were occasionally threatening when dropping the ball in United’s half and asking the likes of Luke Norris to make awkward work of it, more often than not Huntington was removing danger before it developed, far and away leading the way on interceptions.

At the other end, there was not a single occasion when you felt the Blues were on top of visiting captain Piergianni, who made more clearances than anyone else on the away side.

Both side lacked the wit or lasting variety to thread something around or beyond these big defenders. At the same time, you have to credit both for their stature, for making their job look easier than it ever is.

2 SHOOTING BLANKS

If anything, there is an argument that says Stevenage were better than United at reducing their opponents' danger when it materialised.

It did not necessarily feel that way when, for instance, Carlisle almost forced an opening goal through Joe Garner (disallowed) or when Ryan Edmondson nearly forced his way through only to be upended by Dan Sweeney.

Most of United's attempts were from outside the box (Image: Barbara Abbott)

In the main, though, the visitors did keep United at arm’s length, and then some, in terms of the consistency and reach of their attacks from open play.

Some 71 per cent of Carlisle’s shots were attempted from outside the box, and there were none that gave the Stevenage keeper Jon McCracken undue trouble.

By contrast, Stevenage engineered 63 per cent of their opportunities inside the area.

Again, none had Tomas Holy at full stretch (or even half stretch for that matter), so the difference is limited, all things considered.

What it does say, though, is that had Stevenage been a shade sharper behind enemy lines, a smash-and-grab win might have been nearer their reach than Carlisle's.

It also, of course, says that United’s base-line defending was also good, given the visitors' lack of shots on target despite their 18-yard box inroads. The timely interception from Jon Mellish that cut out a late and potentially threatening Luke Norris chance was an effective example.

United’s task when next at home – or away for that matter – is to be more penetrating themselves.

3 THE CASE FOR REFRESHMENT

Paul Simpson has so far played this part of things well across the season, and will be keenly aware of the need for timing now.

Does he respond to a draw by making changes, or does the Blues manager stick with what’s largely been working?

Ryan Edmondson is among those who could come in should Simpson decide to freshen things up (Image: Barbara Abbott)

The last time Simpson twisted, it was after the 4-0 home annihilation to Mansfield Town. His changes then were plentiful and paid dividends with four straight wins.

The truth is also that Carlisle had been building up to the need for a tweak with two goalless outings before that.

They are plainly not in that sort of mini-rut at the moment. Four wins and a draw remains promotion form.

Perhaps, though, it is time for a dash of something different with Saturday’s exertions in mind, the way United came up short attacking-wise, and the demands ahead, with three away trips in 12 days, including a couple of whoppers (Gillingham and Leyton Orient).

It is not as if they lack good and primed options. It is easy to remember the refreshing impact of JK Gordon, for instance, upon his arrival, while Kristian Dennis’ goals and contribution over the season need little recap.

Ryan Edmondson has shown gusto on his return from injury, while Jordan Gibson’s ability to put some sort of creative stamp on any game is well known.

United’s second half showing at Swindon was somewhat grinding, their late winner notwithstanding, and Saturday’s duel was not their most inspired forward showing.

Simpson, if he agrees with these signs, is unlikely to be shy to act upon them.

4 KEEPING IT CLEAN

No, we’re not talking about the gamesmanship and other gibberish that went on across Saturday afternoon.

If officials will let it flourish, it will happen. Less reactive refereeing, and Stevenage might not have dictated those terms so much - not that Carlisle particularly worked out ways to limit it either.

Tomas Holy now has 15 clean sheets this season (Image: Barbara Abbott)

We’ll leave that stuff there. In different terms of cleanliness, it was another good day for Carlisle’s record at the back.

On an afternoon when they drew a blank upfield, a 15th clean sheet of the season was a welcome statistic.

It took Paul Simpson’s side into the top 19 all-time Carlisle sides for shut-outs in a season, and they still have ten games to join even more limited Brunton Park company.

They have now already equalled the full-season totals of, for instance, their 2020/21 side, their 2017/18 vintage and, going further back, the club’s first promotion team of 1961/2.

Next in their sights would be a total of 16 that would draw them level with Mick Wadsworth’s heroes of 1994/5 among others.

In general, their defensive numbers are worthy of contenders. Keep totting them up, and they’ll surely remain that way.

5 THE BIG PICTURE

It’s probably best to keep this in mind, when chewing over the frustration of a goalless draw such as this.

Carlisle were unable to land a decisive blow on one of their nearest rivals, but nor did they suffer one themselves.

Callum Guy had another outstanding midfield game (Image: Ben Holmes)

Their record over the last two months remains outstanding, and an undeniable foundation for their ten-game run-in now.

From January 14 onwards, Carlisle have lost just twice in League Two. They’ve won eight games in that time, and drawn two.

That is formidable stuff which justifiably has them in the automatic race. There are times when, if you don’t lose to a direct foe, you are entitled to nod, accept the point and move on.

United’s run-in has always looked challenging on paper yet Carlisle are right in the mix for good reason – and not succumbing to Stevenage’s various threats and charms is, to a degree, another tick next to their name.

Surviving a night at Valley Parade, against a Bradford City side who have also seldom lost in recent times, would be another big one too.