Reggie Lambe and his Carlisle United teammates final pre-season friendly fixture of the summer was the visit of League One side Blackburn Rovers with manager Tony Mowbray having plenty to ponder ahead of the new season.
The positives were a fifth goal in six pre-season games from Danny Graham, who completed another 60 minutes, while new signings Bradley Dack and Richie Smallwood were again among the better performers.
Dominic Samuel also completed 90 minutes, but will have been disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet after some good openings, particularly in the first half.
The hosts were enjoying joy down the outsides of the Rovers backline, and that would be how their two first-half goals came about. Ryan Nyambe was unfortunate to turn into his own goal in the 13th minute after Rovers had allowed Nicky Adams too much space down the right.
And as they appealed for offside moments before the break, Jamie Devitt broke in down the left and squared for Lambe who had the simple task of tapping it at the far post.
In between came some neat interplay from Rovers, with Danny Graham and Bradley Dack particularly catching the eye. Dominic Samuel had two chances following some neat football prior to Graham’s equaliser, his fifth of pre-season in the 17th minute.
Rovers struggled to find a rhythm after the break, and they would have trailed by a second goal were it not for a fine David Raya save on the hour to keep out Lambe as Carlisle once again worked a two-on-one situation.
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