Cameron Harper snatches late winner for Carlisle over struggling Braintree

Cameron Harper’s 89th-minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for Carlisle and kept Braintree deep in relegation trouble in the Enterprise National League.

Carlisle’s Regan Linney hit the post in the early stages and threatened again before eventually finding the breakthrough in the 34th minute with a powerful finish from a tight angle after turning defender Ben Drake.

He was denied a penalty moments later after Emmanuel Okunowo’s challenge but Braintree equalised four minutes before half-time when Lewis Walker brilliantly converted Elliot Thorpe’s cross.

John Akinde shot wide for the Iron and Drake had penalty appeals waved away but the visitors, already assured of at least a play-off spot and cheered on by over a third of the crowd of 1,284, rewarded their fans’ long trip south when full-back Harper fired home following a short corner.