As a spectacle this one was forgotten the minute ref Mark Powell blew into his whistle for the last time. Any benefits Reggie Lambe and his Carlisle United took from their goalless draw at Halifax will be taken internally, for it was not particularly easy on the public's eyes.
There are no guarantees in pre-season. Anyone attending a friendly does so knowing they may not see events at full-throttle. A manager's desire to tinker and test is at its highest in July, often for good reason.
Other than another afternoon of match-fitness, though, and a fifth clean-sheet against this pre-season's non-league opponents, there was not much for those who travelled to sing about. A few near-misses at both ends, a bit of disjointed play, but little that supporters could take into the rest of their weekends.
Carlisle took longer to find a consistent stride but Lambe tried to be positive on the ball, at one stage feeding Nicky Adams' driving run down the middle that ended with a tumble in the box.
Lambe and Hallam Hope then combined as the latter rifled a shot from the right, keeper Sam Johnson saving well. There was some encouragement in the movement that forced these openings but otherwise it was not a first half of great dynamism from United.
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