Hero Carlisle keeper Gabe Breeze saves a late Port Vale penalty to hold onto 3-2 win and boost the Cumbrians’ survival hopes.
In a thrilling rollercoaster game in League Two, Carlisle, fighting to avoid relegation, took the lead and stormed into a 3-0 lead by the 49th minute.
Port Vale, the League Two leaders, pulled two goals back with around 20 minutes to go. But in stoppage time, Port Vale were awarded a penalty, only for Gabe Breeze to keep it out.
Meanwhile, Morecambe hold on to their EFL status by their fingernails, needing to win their remaining three games and hope for miracles elsewhere.
Carlisle’s dramatic win over Port Vale means they are now only four points adrift of Tranmere who lost 3-0 at home to Doncaster.
Carlisle are 23rd with 40 points from 43 games, Tranmere, who lost 3-0 to Doncaster, are 22nd with 44 points, Accrington won 2-1 and are 21st with 46 points from 43 games, Harrogate, MK Dons, and Newport can all still go down.
Carlisle are three goals to the good against league leaders Port Vale! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3jlBIWJffA
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 18, 2025
OH MY WORD! 🤯
Relegation-threatened Carlisle save a stoppage-time penalty to stay 3-2 up against League Two leaders Port Vale! pic.twitter.com/9n66my50nM
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 18, 2025
That final whistle feeling.
Relief. Delight. Call it whatever you want.
We won’t stop fighting 💙 pic.twitter.com/qMkHOZXzSw
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) April 18, 2025
James Phillips (BBC Radio Cumbria Sport commentator): “The officials have gone card happy, in the aftermath of the penalty the fourth official picked something up.
“It was a great save from Gabriel Breeze.”
Chris Lumsdon (Former Carlisle midfielder on BBC Radio Cumbria): “Three wins on the trot, Carlisle have done all they can do today.
“It’s the Carlisle United way to put you through everything.
“It was a well-struck pen, but an even better save.
“Port Vale showed why they are top of the league, but the first-half performance was more than enough.”
Twitter users reacted after the hero Carlisle keeper saves a late Port Vale penalty to hold onto a 3-2 win and boost survival hopes…
@DaveHedgehog11: Had the misfortune to listen to the BBC Stoke commentary, commentator spent the whole second half slating young Gabe Breeze, get it right up them.
@bcafcwin: As much as I’ve wanted you boys to go down, would absolutely love you to stay up now! Proper fighting spirit all the way through that game. Fair play 👏🏻
@DanCUFC: 🔵 Just another afternoon down BP! 😂 Easy summary: First half – Superb! Second half – Bloody hell! GABRIEL FUCKING BREEZE!!! They all get MotM for me, amazing what a bit of confidence can do to a Squad! Onto Accy on Monday then… UTB!
@joeleigh95: Get in lads, done well to win that inspite of those officials, massive game on Monday, I would like to apologise for anything negative I’ve ever said about Georgie Kelly, what a finish, maybe he just needed a consistent run of games after all.
@fish_blues: Whatever happens now! No club in the world like us! Don’t care what anyone else says! My team my club my blues!! Come on!! @bbccumbriasport #cufc
@scottieh84: This is what it’s about let’s keep pushing it’s never over 💪💪 #UTB #CUFC
@DresdenValiant: Wank result but showed some serious bollocks at 3-0 to get back in the game and a kick from keeping the run going. Had to end sometime. Rather it be today than against Grimsby or Wimbledon. Hope for the #cufc they stay up. @OfficialPVFC @AleAndValePod #pvfc
@Lorna__Jayne: Gwan Carlisle you mental bastards. WTF 💙 #cufc
@SimoneCufc: @bbccumbriasport what a rollercoaster of a match that was!! Thought it was over at 3-0… Then very nervy at 3-2 then the pen but thank god it’s over!! C’mon you blues… It’s not over yet!!
@willtod: My 6 year olds assessment of that. “Dad, that’s the best game I’ve ever seen”. Fairs lad. It was really something. Atmosphere was class. 🤣 #cufc
@KevBirnie: If you guys @officialcufc could refrain from putting me through that kind of nerve test and win games normally, my heart would appreciate it greatly 🤣🤣🤣 what a massive win lads #CUFC
@CTH_vale: Good luck for rest of the season far better side first half tried to come back but u held on good luck with the final 3 games
@Bennn_ntfc: Go on lads I love an underdog story come on it’s only 4 points now with 3 to go
@Bantams_1903: Fairplay. Even when we beat you, I thought you played some good stuff but lacked abit of bite and grit. Looks like Sparky’s getting your boys to play.
@_McCluskeyR: Fair play fantastic win that guys keeps the great escape alive
@SHD_Backup: Fair play! 👏🏼
@allmoshnopit: Fairs. Feel the Breeze
@karl72465: Feel the fucking breeze
