Tyler Walton was on the scoresheet but Accrington Stanley lost 2-1 to Carlisle United yesterday, against a side who are battling at the wrong end of the League Two table alongside the Reds.

In the final game of 2024, Stanley were left ruing missed chances as Shaun Whalley hit the woodwork twice in the first half.

Carlisle scored in each half at Brunton Park before Walton’s goal kept Stanley in it, but the Cumbrians held on for the vital three points to move within a point of Stanley in the bottom three.

Dara Costelloe (injured) and Connor O’Brien (suspended) dropped out of the squad, with Zach Awe and Seamus Conneely replacing them, while Dan Martin made a return to the bench after a long-term injury.

Stanley started well with Conneely’s third-minute long-range strike turned around the post by Gabe Breeze.

However, it was Carlisle who struck first on 12 minutes when Jon Mellish’s left-wing cross found Kadeem Harris in the area and he fired into the net.

Bournemouth loanee Daniel Adu-Adjei shot over for the Cumbrians, while Nelson Khumbeni’s strike was straight at Breeze.

Carlisle came close to a second on 37 minutes when a free-kick into the box caused chaos and Harris headed against the bar, while Adu-Adjei’s follow up was blocked on the line.

Stanley then had a number of great chances to level before the break.

On 42 minutes, Walton’s ball into the box found Awe and his close-range header was down and over the bar before a powerful long-range Whalley strike crashed off the bar on 43 minutes.

In added time in the first half, Whalley’s header bounced off the post - the second time in a matter of minutes the Reds hit the woodwork.

Josh Woods came on for the second half, to replace defender Farrend Rawson, who had picked up a yellow card, which meant a reshuffle for the Reds.

Carlisle had a great chance to double their lead on 48 minutes when Harris ran clean through but he powered his strike over the bar.

Stanley then pressed around the Carlisle box, but it was the home side who then took a two-goal lead on 54 minutes.

A clearance deflected to former Red Luke Armstrong just outside of the area and, with Billy Crellin stranded, he fired low into the empty net.

Martin made his first return to first-team action since August coming on, on 60 minutes, with Ash Hunter.

The Reds then tried to force the pace, with a number of balls pinging around the Carlisle area.

Stanley got one back on 73 minutes when a Josh Woods ball over the top found Walton and he took the ball around the defender and finished superbly. It was his third league goal of the campaign and sixth goal of the season.

John Doolan’s side dominated possession after that and ended up with a host of attackers on the pitch as the Reds boss used all five substitutes as they looked for an all-important equaliser.

However, despite lengthy added time due to an injury to Carlisle’s Jon Mellish, Stanley could not find a way back.

Stanley: Crellin, Aljofree, Rawson (J Woods), Awe, Conneely (Hunter), Love, Coyle (Knowles), Khumbeni (Martin), B Woods, Whalley, Walton (Henderson). Subs not used: Kelly, Popoola.