Having conceded their undefeated League record to Leeds United after the 3-0 defeat last Friday, Rovers face the 272 mile trip to Carlisle United's Brunton Park ground anxious to maintain their unbeaten away record.

The Cumbrians lie in 5th spot, one point ahead of Rovers, having won two and lost one of their three home games this season. So far the Blues have beaten Oldham and Cheltenham 1-0 and lost to Tranmere 1-0 at home. In their latest game at Swansea two late goals in two minutes from Darryl Duffy and Paul Anderson saw the Welshman seal a comeback victory.

The home side dominated the first half, but wasteful finishing from Duffy, Andy Robinson and Jason Scotland cost them. After the break Leon Britton tripped Jeff Smith to concede a penalty, Danny Graham converting from the spot.

But a saved Robinson shot fell to Duffy who got his first of the season from a narrow angle, and then Anderson fired in a superb, curling shot from the left.

Looking at the background of the opposition this week, Carlisle was founded in 1904 and played their early football in the Lancashire Combination and the North Eastern League. In 1928/29 they replaced Durham City in the Third Division North. They were very mediocre, their best finish was third in 1950/51 season and they never got beyond the Third Round of the F.A. Cup.

In 1958/59 season they became founder members of the Fourth Division and after four years they had their first League honour, gaining promotion after finishing fourth in 1961/62 (the season Rovers were relegated from the Second Division). It was a very brief moment of Glory for the Cumbrians because they went straight back down in 23rd spot in the season where Rovers themselves only missed the drop by one point.

However, they bounced straight back again. Alan Ashman was appointed manager and under his guidance Carlisle were promoted again in 1963/64. This time there were no doubts about the achievement as a Club record, 113 League goals were scored and Hughie McIlmoyle's contribution of 39 made him the country's top scorer.

Carlisle's rise under Ashman continued the following year when the Third Division Championship was clinched with a 3-0 defeat of rivals Mansfield, in the last game of the season in front of over 18,000 at Brunton Park. It was the same day that Rovers won 3-0 at Gillingham (to inflict the first home defeat of the season) and helped Bristol City clinch promotion in a season in which Rovers had been in the top two right through until February. By 1967, when Ashman left the Club, he had taken them to third place in the Second Division.

In the following years, principally while Bob Stokoe was manager, Carlisle consolidated their Second Division status and in 1972 Ashman returned to Brunton Park. Two years later the soccer world was astounded when Carlisle United were promoted to the First Division. In the words of Bill Shankley, it was "the greatest feat in the history of the game"

It didn't last long! United went straight back down and in 1976/77 were relegated from Division Two. Five years of Third Division football followed before a second place finish in 1981/82 once again saw United back in the Second Division.

However it was just four years later that disaster struck with a double relegation and in 1987/88 they were facing Fourth Division soccer for the first time in 25 years. The Cubrians struggled for several years but made the Play-Offs in 1993/94 and won the Championship the following season.

It was the start of a really topsy-turvy period as they were, relegated, promoted and relegated again in successive seasons! For the following four years, 1998 through to 2001
United were to finish no higher than 22nd in the basement Division.

They had some very narrow escapes, none closer than the 95th minute goal scored by on-loan keeper Jimmy Glass in their last game of the 1998/99 season to give them a 2-1 win over Plymouth. That goal kept Carlisle in the league and relegated Scarborough.

Eventually United flirted with danger once too often and in 2003/04 their bottom but one finish saw them drop down into the Conference. However as with several teams before it proved their salvation, bouncing straight back up to regain their League status and winning the Championship of Division Two at the first attempt. An 8th place finish to last season saw United narrowly miss out on a Play-Off place.

It was some surprise therefore that after the opening day draw at Walsall, United parted company Neil McDonald. There as been much speculation as to what lead to McDonald's departure from the club he served so well and he has been scathing in the local Press of stand in Boss Greg Abbott's credentials.

The very first game between Rovers and Carlisle was played back in that 1962/63 season when the Cumbrians visited Eastville and went away with a point from a 1-1 draw. Rovers first visit to Brunton Park was an unhappy one coming back with their worst ever defeat there, 4-0. It was ironic that Carlisle were relegated that season and Rovers stayed up.

After their first visit to Brunton Park Rovers gained their revenge on 5th September 1964. Rovers were actually top of the table before the game coming off a 5-3 thrashing of Grimsby. They repeated the dose against Carlisle with a 5-2 score line. Hugh McIlmoyle (later to play for our City rivals) had given Carlisle an 18th minute lead but two goals just before half-time sent Rovers in with a 2-1 lead.

An opportunist goal by Alfie Biggs, as keeper Alan Ross had gone down injured after a Harold Jarman shot thumped down off the crossbar, gave Rovers a 3-1 lead. Eventually the 12,580 Eastville crowd were sent home happy as goals by Alfie Biggs (2), Ian Hamilton, Harold Jarman and a Terry Caldwell (own goal) gave Rovers that 5-2 victory.

Rovers came away from Brunton Park with both points in the return game too after Ian Hamilton and Johnny Brown secured a 2-1 win on 2nd January 1965. After the end of January Rovers lost their top spot and fell away to eventually finish sixth, five points behind Champions Carlisle United!

The teams didn't meet again until 1975/76 season when the Cumbrians took all four points on offer with a 4-2 win at Brunton Park and a 1-0 victory at Eastville. The following season the roles were reversed as Rovers won the Eastville game 2-1 and snatched a very late and unlikely 3-2 win on 7th May.

Since then Rovers have had some memorable victories against United. A 4-0 win on 22 April 1987 in front of a 2,435 Twerton Park crowd helped to keep Rovers afloat in a season that very nearly saw them go out of existence.

There have been two victories in Cumbria too, 2-1 on the last day of the 1981/82 season when Mark Hughes scored two of his three goals for the club and a repeat of the same score line on 13th August 1995 when Billy Clark and Marcus Stewart scored. In 2004/05 the teams met in the FA Cup and after a 1-1 draw at the Mem, United went through with a 1-0 victory at Brunton Park.

Rovers' last League visit to Carlisle was on 1st October 2005 when they returned with all three points after a 3-1 victory. The first goal in that game was Rovers 5,000th in the League.

Looking ahead to the game on Saturday United defender Paul Arnison believes the Blues must bounce back from their successive defeats "We've got to keep going. We've got to move on and prepare for Bristol Rovers on Saturday. We've lost two on the spin now and we're at home so we've got to take the game to them and show the fans that last week against Tranmere was a one-off performance at home."

Simon Hackney has dismissed any suggestions that the continuing uncertainty over the Blues' managerial situation is having a negative effect on the players. Caretaker boss Greg Abbott is no nearer to knowing whether he will be named as permanent successor to Neil McDonald after seven games as stand-in boss.

A run of three defeats from Carlisle's last four games has checked Abbott's march towards a job which at one stage looked to be all but his. But wing ace Hackney, who signed a two-year contract extension last week, said the mystery over the identity of United's next manager is not worrying the players.

"It's up to the board to make that decision," the 23-year-old said. "We are just here to do a job. And that's what we come in every morning to do." Hackney, who is pushing for a recall for this week's game, insists that Abbott continues to have the total backing of the Blues squad.

"Greg has been fantastic for us. I can't say anything other than that and I'm sure all the lads will say the same," he said. "He is very motivated and gets us motivated and we are fully behind him, definitely."

Sections of the United support have been clamouring for Hackney to be given his first league start since the opening day, and they may get their wish on Saturday with Abbott promising a much more attacking performance from the Blues.

And the man himself says he is equally determined to force his way back into the starting line-up. "I just love being out there performing on that stage," he said. "That's what everybody wants. I've just got to take it one step at a time, and my time will come."

Former Liverpool trainee Hackney's new deal capped his successful comeback from a knee injury which had caused him to miss the last five months of last season.

"It was hard being out for so long and I'm just trying to get my sharpness back now," he said. "I thought I would be able to come in straight away, but these things take time. I'm getting there bit by bit and the support I've had from the club, my family and the fans has been fantastic."

On his contract, which ties him to Carlisle until the summer of 2010, Hackney added: "It's a blessing. I've really enjoyed being here from day one, and now this is sorted I can get out there and just focus on my football now."

Having lost their undefeated tag to Leeds Rovers will be just as determined as their northern rivals that there should not be a slump in early season form. Both teams have done well so far and it is starting to approach the part of the season where the table starts to take some shape. A third away win before securing a maximum haul at the Mem would not be what Paul Trollope expected but you can be sure that he would not turn down the opportunity.

Written by Gerry Prewett