Carlisle 1 Argyle 0: Match report

ARGYLE remain without a point or a goal in this Sky Bet League Two season, after a long trip to Carlisle clocked up more miles than smiles.

Carlisle maintained their unbeaten and positive beginning to the season, following up a creditable draw at Portsmouth and a win at home to Port Vale in the EFL Cup with three points against the Pilgrims.

The Cumbrians' winning goal was scored on 37 minutes by winger Reggie Lambe, who found himself in space on the edge of the penalty to lash home. As Carlisle cruised into half-time a goal up, no-one in green and white could have any complaints. As at Reading on Tuesday, Argyle followed a slow start with a second half revival, but no amount of energy, changes or pressure could be converted into goals, and a relieved Carlisle saw the game out.

The news, on Friday morning, that Argyle had received international clearance to play Latvian defender Nauris Bulvitis, gave manager Derek Adams the option to add a dimension to his starting line-up, and he took the chance by playing Bulvitis as one of three centre-backs in a 3-5-2 formation. Ryan Donaldson was the unlucky casualty of the switch in formation from the opening day defeat at home to Luton Town, and he dropped to the bench.

Bulvitis lined up alongside Yann Songo'o and Sonny Bradley as the trio tasked with protecting goalkeeper Luke McCormick, with the two Garys, Miller and Sawyer, as twin wing-backs. Oscar Threlkeld and David Ijaha played in central midfield, with Jimmy Spencer and David Goodwillie up front, and Graham Carey acting as the link between.

The home side started the brighter, carving out some half-chances in the opening five minutes. Two were just that - defenders and goalkeeper not tested at all - and another saw Charlie Wyke head over the bar when he was offside. A fourth looked promising, but Shaun Miller dawdled while Songo'o recovered, and Argyle had snuffed out that particular threat.

Argyle began to grow into the game, getting an increased number of knockdowns and pushing into Carlisle territory. One such push led to Carey shooting high and wide from distance. Any other player doing so might have been derided, but given that we know what Graham can do, it was forgiven.

United tried from far out themselves, with Danny Grainger's long-ranger proving to be close but of little danger. Argyle's best attack, in response, featured just one touch; McCormick's intelligent ball looked to have found Spencer's equally bright run, but the latter could not bring down the admittedly difficult high ball.

After Threlkeld was cautioned for a third foul in the half, Carlisle took the lead at the third bite of the cherry, from a free-kick wide on the left. Argyle dealt with the initial ball in, and then again, from the re-delivery, saw their centre-backs outnumber the Carlisle forwards and clear the ball. Unfortunately, it only reached the unmarked Lambe, who drove past McCormick from just inside the penalty area.

Nicky Adams had a chance to double the lead two minutes later, cutting inside past two defenders and shooting narrowly wide. The home side finished the half with their tails up, and the whistle to signal the interval was warmly received by the Brunton Park faithful.