Harrogate 'embarrassed' by nine-man Carlisle

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver has been in charge of the club since 2008 and became co-owner earlier this month [Getty Images] Carlisle United's task against second-placed Harrogate Town in the National League on Wednesday looked difficult at kick-off. The Blues took an early lead against the visitors, who were on a five-game winning run, but then had former Arsenal man Miguel Azeez sent off after just 14 minutes. Their mission then went from hard to surely impossible when they were then reduced to nine men after only 30 minutes when fellow midfielder Harvey Bunker was also shown a straight red card. Two men light and with sixty minutes to play against a side who had started the game 10 places and 11 points better off? You could have forgiven home fans for fearing the worst. Instead, remarkably, Rob Elliot's men added to their lead immediately after half-time and ultimately wrapped up a stunning 3-0 win that will be talked about by the fans at Brunton Park for years to come. "I don't think they appreciate what they've just done," Elliot told BBC Radio Cumbria. "There was no luck tonight. It was just superb performances and I'm immensely proud. "I'm hoping it's a catalyst for us to unite and make sure we carry on that momentum. If we can produce this every week then we become a monster and be unstoppable. "Tonight epitomised what I want from the staff, the players and the club. "When you are reduced to playing for pure passion, heart, desire and energy it becomes evident of what it means." The former Newcastle goalkeeper said it was "the most incredible" game of his playing or managerial career and said the players would be given an impromptu but hard-earned day off on Thursday before they play at Altrincham on Saturday. 'We didn't handle the situation' Emotions in the other dressing room could hardly have been more contrasting. Harrogate boss and co-owner Simon Weaver accused his side of "believing the hype" that their winning run had produced. When asked to sum up his emotions he told BBC Radio York: "Embarrassed to be honest. "We came into it with brilliant form but it looked like as a team and a collective we believed the hype coming into the game. "However, going down to 10 men and then nine men the emphasis was on us to show the required quality on the ball that we have done all season up to this point and we're certainly disappointed and fell well below the standards set so far this season. "We looked well off it. We didn't handle the situation. Full credit to Carlisle, they deserved to win but we have to look at our performance." The Sulphurites, who travel to Forest Green on Saturday, are now 10 points off runaway leaders Boreham Wood.