Carlisle spared Gray day

Gary Madine saved Carlisle's blushes to earn a 1-1 draw against non-league strugglers Grays Athletic.

Substitute comes to Cumbrians' rescue

Teenage substitute Gary Madine saved Carlisle's blushes with an 83rd-minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Blue Square Premier strugglers Grays Athletic. Grays, pointless in their last nine games on the road, grabbed the lead just after half-time through centre-back Jamie Stuart. And only a fine fingertip save by Carlisle keeper Ben Williams prevented Ishmael Welsh making it 2-0 not long after. Carlisle, who have suffered 11 defeats in their last 12 matches, were second best at times and short on confidence but Madine's late header saved the Cumbrians from more agony. Grays snatched the lead seven minutes after the break when Jon Ashton headed a Fabian Wilnis free-kick back into the heart of the penalty area, before Stuart eased between two defenders to hammer home a crisp first-time volley. It seemed that Grays' battling performance was going to be enough to earn them a surprise win until Carlisle's late surge, which almost resulted in a stoppage-time winner, but Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's volley dipped inches over the bar.