What did we learn from Carlisle United's defeat to Portsmouth?

1 LAST-MINUTE MEN

“Good teams score late goals,” said Gareth Southgate.

Bad ones can too. But there was something telling in the way Portsmouth snatched victory in a way their own manager admitted was tantamount to theft.

It was, in all, the fifth League One game this season where Pompey have struck beyond the 90-minute mark.

Portsmouth score their late goal (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Those goals have earned them six more points than they would otherwise have had.

So, as ill-deserved as their victory over Carlisle felt, there is still something in that pattern – something in the way John Mousinho’s side applied that final glut of pressure that eventually told.

It was the first time United had conceded a goal beyond the 90th minute in the league since Gillingham’s winner in March.

At the other end, the Blues have mustered a few added-time strikes of their own season, against Shrewsbury Town, at Stevenage, against Peterborough United and at Bolton Wanderers.

It’s something they’ll need to do a few occasions more, no doubt. The benefits on Saturday were painfully clear.

2 GOALS, GOALS, GOALS

Carlisle did many good things at Portsmouth – the quality and, as things went on, bravery of their play was admirable.

For long spells in the second half they made the unbeaten league leaders look ordinary.

This was a tribute to Paul Simpson’s game plan and the way it was carried out by his players.

Sean Maguire and his team-mates tested Portsmouth - but United failed to score again (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Yet, as the manager acknowledged after the game, it is numbers that count – and United’s shortcomings here aren’t going away.

They could not take their best chances at Fratton Park – Alfie McCalmont having two really good sightings of goal – and another nil was the outcome.

The pattern remains a concern given it was a seventh game from 14 in League One when they’ve failed to find the net.

A record of 14 attempts, and three on target, reflects some good enterprise from Carlisle at Portsmouth. They’ve been much less creative than that in several previous games.

Simpson has tried different formulas in a bid to get goals out of his side but the threat at the front of the team is still lacking.

Even though the rest of the display was bright, nothing at Pompey diverted the widespread opinion that the attacking question will need to be answered convincingly in January to keep United in League One.

3 BLUES’ STAR MEN

It is right to credit Carlisle for making things less comfortable for Portsmouth than many sides the south coast club have faced.

There are areas where the Blues simply have to draw some encouragement, even in the biting disappointment of defeat.

Up front, Joe Garner gave an impactful line-leading performance, waging aerial war against John Mousinho’s side to good effect.

Joe Garner's line-leading caused Portsmouth problems - while Fin Back, left, was impressive for Carlisle (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Garner is now 35 yet this means his positional sense in that particular role is very well honed, and he gave Carlisle an undoubted and typically aggressive platform.

Others stood up well and a mention is deserved for Fin Back, who had a gruelling time of it against Leyton Orient the previous weekend.

He was back to his enterprising best on Saturday as he attacked with persistence, confidence and ideas, and might well have opened the door for Carlisle more than once.

McCalmont’s movement was at times elusive too and he did everything to be Carlisle’s gamebreaker except finish the good chances that came his way.

That’s a big but. And the but United collectively have to deal with. Simpson’s side are, at least, putting some of the right pieces together as they continue to seek the most vital one.

4 BUTTING IN

Dan Butterworth, it’s safe to say, has not enjoyed a particularly eventful start to his United career.

When he came off the bench at Fratton Park it was only his fourth league appearance in a Carlisle shirt.

Those outings have come to 73 minutes in total, and the attacking midfielder is yet to deliver on what Paul Simpson identified in the ex-Blackburn man when signing him in pre-season.

Dan Butterworth's cameo offered promise (Image: Barbara Abbott)

On Saturday, though, there were glimpses of a more confident Butterworth, who was no doubt lifted by a bright showing and a goal for the reserves against Blackpool in midweek.

Against Pompey he held the ball well, gave some of United’s late attacks some momentum, and was positive enough to take on a 90th-minute chance first-time.

He executed his shot very well and it took a fingertip save from Will Norris to deny him a likely winner.

Simpson needs players from the fringes to step up between now and January, and with Butterworth’s cameo, there was hopefully something on which to build.

5 SERIOUS SUPPORT

More evidence that these are rising times for Carlisle United came in a loud and truly impressive away end at Fratton Park.

Some 676 Blues fans made the trip to the south coast.

That in itself is outstanding. So was the noise they made throughout the 1-0 defeat.

Tom and Patty Piatak arrive at Portsmouth (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Anyone who didn’t leave Portsmouth’s ground with the theme from 'The Great Escape' in their ears cannot have been listening.

Carlisle, on the pitch, are toiling for results right now yet their support retains the momentum from the Paul Simpson uplift – and the promise of new times at the top of the club.

Tom and Patty Piatak, watching from the directors’ box, were simply served with another example of why United, the object of their takeover affections, are a club of proper size, with proper support – something that can, given the right work and investment, be retained and enhanced even further.

Supporters continue, then, to play their part in United’s present and what their future could be. It remains a tantalising prospect: something the Piataks can hopefully harness.