Points shared from hard fought game
Carlisle United and Brentford fought out a hard earned share of the points at Brunton Park as both sides had chances in an entertaining game which could have gone either way.
United had the early pressure and Potts showed urgency when he stepped in to claim possession in midfield. He found Miller wide on the left but the shot was right at Button.
The Cumbrians stayed forward and Amoo pulled out to the right to deliver a lovely cross to the edge of the box. Byrne jumped to meet it but the keeper watched it all the way as he stepped back to catch it on the line.
Brentford struggled to get out of their own half and Dave Symington took control of a 25-yard free kick with Redmond in close attendance. An intricate routine was brought to an abrupt end when the ball rattled into the wall.
The Bees settled and a cross from Bidwell ran free across the edge of the area as Donaldson and Trotta watched in agony. Saville won the second ball, and spread it wide to Judge, and his lobbed cross found Donaldson with his back to goal. He twisted and turned and was within a whisker of registering as his curling shot spun past the far post.
Good skill from Marcello Trotta took him past Chimbonda in the box but his fizzed cross had just too much power as it flew through Judge's legs.
The game became a midfield tussle but Brentford burst forward again on 27 minutes when Yennaris found Donaldson. He crossed on the run and Meppen-Walter did well to make the block as Trotta found a volley at close range.
Pickford combined with Meppen-Walter to get a dipper from Forshaw clear of the danger area and Sam Byrne showed a turn of flair at the other end as Symington hooked the ball forward. His cross from the byline was difficult to deal with but just behind Miller and Amoo.
It was a very patient approach from the hosts and strength from Byrne, with his back to goal, created space for another attack. Amoo poked it to the far post and Liam Noble was set to shoot until the ball was nicked off his toe by Donaldson.
A heavy touch from Redmond in the centre circle left Judge with a free run at goal as the action ebbed and flowed on the stroke of half time, and it was relief all round as a thundering drive crept just past the upright with Pickford at full stretch.
United were quick out of the blocks again for the start of the second half and Byrne sent Amoo into a crossing position with a lovely pass from midfield. He delivered early and Button moved out to take it.
Brad Potts was next to have a go when it opened up for him with a wayward pass out from the Bees back line. He dragged his shot wide with Miller and Byrne screaming for the pass.
The Cumbrians snapped at heels and Noble and Byrne both had shots from deep which Button was able to deal with as they flew into his midriff.
The good Carlisle work was almost undone when Saville curved a fantastic pass at the six yard box from deep. Trotta got there first and he should have done much better than the weak volley which bobbled harmlessly past the upright.
Hearts were in mouths again for the hosts on 67 minutes when Tarkowski skipped through two challenges to send the ball into the area. Pickford punched it off Trotta's head and Douglas was a millimetre away from getting a toe to the follow up shot from Judge.
And Judge was the threat again when he cut in from the left and let one fly. Pickford saw it late but did well to make a two-handed save and beat it away.
The Brentford push for a goal left gaps at the back and Miller blazed a wild shot over the bar when he was picked out by Amoo. Brad Potts was then left with his head in his hands when he drove through the middle and found a thundering drive. Button was left to flap at thin air as it shaved the outside of the post.
It was suddenly Carlisle who looked more likely and a Redmond chest down left him with a brief sight of goal. He tried to pick his spot with his volley but it was always going wide.
A late cross from Judge had Grigg on his toes and it needed a last ditch tackle from Meppen-Walter to prevent what looked to be a certain goal as he slid in from behind to touch it behind to safety.
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Bookings
United - Chantler (31), Miller (50), Noble (69), Novo (74)
Brentford - Trakowski (76), Judge (80)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Pickford, Symington, Chimbonda, Meppen-Walter, Chantler, Potts, Noble, Redmond (Brough 85), Amoo, Byrne (Novo 64), Miller. Subs - Fleming, Ekangamene, Edwards, Lynch, Guy.
Brentford - Button, Forshaw, Craig, Douglas, Donaldson, Saville, Judge, Bidwell, Tarkowski, Yennaris, Trotta (Grigg 72). Subs - Lee, O'Connor, Fillo, Reeves, Calvet, Hutton.
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Referee - Mr Michael Naylor
Attendance - 3,984 (410 away fans)
