Chesterfield came into this match on good form in this competition against a Carlisle side former winners in 1997. The Spireites with injuries and suspensions a plenty opted to make four changes from the side which lost at home to Bournemouth on Saturday. In came Phil Picken, Derek Niven, Kevin Austin & Robert Page, out went the suspended Mark Little, Cup tied David Perkins, injured Wade Small and the left out Danny Hall. United fielded three time loanee and Chesterfield born Kevan Hurst in their starting lineup.

The Spireites started the first half kicking towards the Cross Street End, little effort on goal from both sides happened in the first ten with Jack Lester being more productive outside the area on the attack.

On 20 though an innocuous challenge with Gregor Robertson involved with Tom Taiwo with both players ending up on the ground, immediately medical assistance was requested by the nearest players some of whom made a distance from the players concerned it looked bad. Our fears were confirmed with Gregor Robertson being stretched off that this was a bad one. A suspected broken leg was confirmed moments later in the press section. Darren Currie replacing the unfortunate Robertson.

The Spireites seemed shocked by this incident and seemed to go into their shell, with a wicked Hurst cross headed wide by former Hartlepool man Matty Robson. On 30 captain Danny Livesey received a yellow card but it was Carlisle who upped tempo with a Robson cross that Hurst somehow put over the bar from close range. On 39 it was the Cumbrians who broke again Mark Allott gave the ball away in midfield and fed the rampaging Robson he in turn found Anyinsah who's shot was charged down by Breckin the striker's momentum enabled another shooting chance which he put wide.

On 43 a lovely ball from Scott Boden placed Lester in a scoring position but his shot was well saved by Collin. The Fourth Official then put the board up and understandably it was 9 minutes for the additional time. On 45 + 4 though a through ball from Lester found Boden who's first touch was poor but enough to confuse Taiwo who lunged at Boden and took his legs first, the referee chose to wait for a decision by linesman before awarding the penalty it seemed that time had stood still for a moment. DARREN CURRIE stepped up to send the ball the goalkeepers right and it found the back of the net. 1-0.

Moments later and a Rob Page free kick saw Breckin head across for Lester to force a save from Collin as time drew a close on the half.

HT 1-0 Att: 2878 (222 visiting supporters)

Second half commenced with no changes, it was 51 gone when the first chance of note happened with Lester taking on three United players outside the box and shooting from distance left footed with a lovely save from Collin. On 55 Carlisle hit back with a Clayton shot from distance not really troubling Lee though. 57 gone and a Currie corner saw a flick by Niven and Talbot header pushed wide by Collin. Moments later though another Currie corner nearside saw a flicked header by Breckin hit the bar.

60 minute gone and Hurst was replaced by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and immediately it was 1-1 a Keogh cross was met by Robson at the back post and he planted past Lee with a header. There seemed to be a push on Picken but more alarmingly was the fact that the smallest man on the pitch received a free header. Now Carlisle upped their tempo. Peter Murphy replaced ex-leeds man Ian Harte at the centre of defence and it was Murphy who took the game away from the Spireites on 68 with another free header at the edge of the box.

Richard Offiong replaced ex-Blade Vincent Pericard on 75, Anyinsah was booked for a foul on Darren Currie and moments later the tie was over from a Chesterfield corner Bridge-Wilkinson broke to Robson who squared it to Offiong who in turn placed debutant Adam Clayton to fire past Lee and see Saltergate host its last ever Cup match. In the dying embers their were further chances for United from Offiong and Robson and the Spireites brought on Dan Gray and Jordan Bowery who replaced Derek Niven and Drew Talbot. Mark Allott was harshly yellow carded for a foul on Keogh and the game drew to a close.

FT 1-3

You can't help think that the game was overshadowed by the Gregor Robertson injury, but that would probably do a dis-service to our lads who tried and for a majority of the game were on par with their League One collegues. After an hour though Carlisle upped tempo and we seemed to withdraw into our shells having said that though basic marking errors will cost you games and as we found out tonight sides will punish you.

Best wishes to Gregor Robertson and we hope the injury is not as serious as first thought.