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A below par performance from Town saw Carlisle United come away with a draw at the Galpharm Stadium in a game either side could have won.
Anthony Pilkington put Town into the lead in the second half but Town never really got going and Carlisle's Ben Marshall equalized for the visitors and then could have snatched all three points if it not were for a world-class save from Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

After the 1-0 win away at Yeovil Town the previous Saturday, Terriers manager Lee Clark stayed with the same side. Home debuts for the Australian left-back Dean Heffernan, central defender Neal Trotman, on loan from Preston and striker Nathan Eccleston on loan from Liverpool.
Michael Collins and Theo Robinson were again not in the starting 18 with Krystian Pearce still on the bench waiting for his first start since his move from Birmingham.

Carlisle showed they were no pushovers from the outset as they packed the midfield, making it tough for Town to play their passing game, as Carlisle veteran Graham Kavanagh pulled the strings in the midfield for the Cumbrians.

It was Carlisle in fact that went the closest to breaking the deadlock with only seven minutes gone, from a second successive corner, Kavanagh picked out defender Danny Livesey, who's header rattled the crossbar.

Heffernan worked himself into a good position but his touch let him down after good work from Gary Roberts and Jordon Rhodes. It was to be a quiet game from Town's top scorer as the visitors had done they homework on the 19-year old Rhodes.

Half chances came and went for both sides but Carlisle were first to every ball, especially in midfield, as Town struggled to get their passing rhythm going.

Terriers boss Clark made a change to try and improve Town's fortune at the break, bringing on Danny Drinkwater for Tom Clarke.

Five minutes into the second half it was Town that forced the breakthrough with winger Pilkington grabbing his seventh goal of the season.
Roberts was the provider with a neat cross from the left to the far post where Pilkington guided a tidy header past Carlisle keeper Adam Collin from eight yards out.

Four minutes later Pilkington fired high after good work by Roberts, Eccleston was so unlucky not to score on his second start for the Terriers, curling a shot just wide of the post from 18 yards out.
Then a great ball into the box by Roberts saw Rhodes inches away from connecting which would have doubled Town's lead.

It was a brief period in the second half that Town really got going in game, the three players making their home debuts, the left-back Heffernan didn't look too bad both helping out going forward and doing his defensive duties and striker Eccleston looked lively every time he got the ball and gave the Carlisle defence something to think about with his pace.
However, defender Neal Trotman didn't particularly have the best of games, at times looking as he was marking his own shadow rather than a Carlisle attacker, it was almost as laughable as Dean Windass trying to be a football pundit.

Carlisle substitute Scott Dobie looked a have put Carlisle in front with a point blank header only for Smithies to pull off a world-class save, tipping the ball over the bar. But the younger keeper was left helpless on 83 minutes when winger Matty Robson was allowed to run free on the left, cut in and deliver a low ball that enabled Ben Marshall to punish Town's slack defending.

The 18-year old Marshall could have sent Carlisle in front with a diving header that he put just over the bar.

The best chance late on fell to Town scorer Pilkington, who's effort lacked real venom as the Carlisle defence was totally stretched.
Pilkington's effort was too close to the keeper with Roberts and Eccleston both well placed on his left for a pass.

Sean's Star Man - Gary Roberts
Wasn't really the best game of any Town player but Gary Roberts edges it for me. At times Roberts was the only player looking to make something happen going forward for the Terriers.

Teams:

Town: Smithies, Pelteir, Peter Clarke, Trotman, Heffernan (Williams 75), Pilkington, Kay, Tom Clarke (Drinkwater 46), Roberts, Eccleston, Rhodes (Simpson 63)
Subs not used: Eastwood, Novak, Pearce, Nathan Clarke.

Carlisle: Collin, Keogh, Livesey, Harte (Murphy 46), Horwood, Hurst (Marshall 61), Clayton, Thirlwell, Robson, Duffy, Cavanaugh (Dobie 61)
Subs not used: Pidgeley, Bridge-Wilkinson, Taiwo, Madine.

Attendane: 14,132
Referee: Daniel Phillips (West Midlands)