IT WAS a great day for the French. First they ended England World Cup rugby hopes – and then Paris-born Toumani Diagouraga stole forward in the dying seconds to slam a ball through the legs of the keeper to earn Bees a point.
Dave Clarkson provided the fine cross that allowed Diagouraga to smash the ball home, which was just as well. The poor Scot had earlier netted at both ends.
Brentford got their noses in front when Jonathan Douglas delivered a downward header on a plate for Clarkson to slide home inside the box after nine minutes.
But it was as good as it got for the travellers when Carlisle quickly got into their stride.
Richard Lee was soon called into action when he got down low to his left to save from Liam Noble’s 22-yard effort.
But the shooter turned provider soon after as Bees’ defence switched off and allowed James Berrett to score his first for the Cumbrians when he bundled in from eight yards.
Then it all became a bit fractious.
Noble was lucky to escape a yellow card when he clattered into Adam Thompson, but when Marcel Eger went through the back of Lee Miller – the defender was not so fortunate.
The referee also branded a caution to Danny Livesey after he threw himself into a rash tackle on Blair Adams who limped painfully to his feet.
Eger was lucky to stay on the pitch in the driving rain after leaving his leg in against Loy. But the resulting free kick left the hapless Clarkson throwing a foot at the ball only to divert it into his own net.
From a corner, Diagouraga’s scuffed got blocked by Francois Zoko as Bees went in search of an equaliser – and they found it just when it looked as if they would get nothing from the 500-mile round trip.
Sub Sam Saunders then could have won it with a drive from distance, but Carlisle’s Adam Collin made a great save to maintain parity.
