Jim Bentley on Carlisle defeat: It was never a penalty

The Shrimps were leading 1-0 through Kevin Ellison’s first-half goal when Darren Drysdale penalised Aaron McGowan for a pull on Charlie Wyke seven minutes from time.

Wyke made no mistake from the spot with Derek Asamoah completing the turnaround 60 seconds later as The Shrimps’ horrible League 2 run went on.

Bentley said: “For me it’s never a penalty and I just can’t believe the luck we’re having this season with offside goals and decisions going against us.

“I’ve said it every week when we’ve lost, when it’s against you, it’s against you.

“I honestly believed today that we didn’t deserve to lose the game and it hinged on one massive decision.

“I’ve told the lads that I’m proud of them. They’ve given in their all for shirt and things are stacked against us.

“The response of the crowd was great. They really got behind us and when we were walking off, to clap us off, I think they knew as well.

“It’s just one of those days.”

Bentley described his side’s recent run as “baffling” with his only frustration that the second goal came immediately after Wyke’s leveller from the spot.

The Shrimps boss said: “I’m gutted for everyone. I’m gutted for the players, the staff, certainly the fans because we want to give them bragging rights.

“I just don’t know what’s happened over the last couple of weeks. I honestly believe in the eight games where we’ve taken a point it’s just baffling.

“Again today a 2-1 scoreline my only criticism of them is that when they’ve got the penalty and the momentum swung in their favour that we just looked a little bit jittery.

“There’s just a bit of a mix up and they’ve put the ball in the back of the net.”