Until this season, the previous time Carlisle United won an FA Cup tie under Paul Simpson was in the autumn of 2004, during the Blues’ only campaign as a Conference club.
It came amid Simpson’s first impressive turnaround of the Cumbrians’ fortunes, and their efforts against Bristol Rovers perhaps helped demonstrate why United were merely on loan to non-league from a more appropriate level.
It was, given Rovers’ status in League Two, a first round upset, Carlisle having got past York City in the fourth qualifying round before a dogged 1-1 draw at the Memorial Stadium thanks to a Brendan McGill goal.
The replay brought the Pirates to Carlisle’s ground on November 13 – along with a former United manager. Ian Atkins, Brunton Park boss in 2000/1, was now at the Bristol Rovers helm as they competed in the fourth tier’s mid-table region.
His old club had a few selection issues to weigh up ahead of the midweek match. Simpson had veteran striker Andy Preece available after he missed out on the Shrewsbury Town manager’s job, but injury cost the influential defender Kevin Gray a place in the side.
Simpson was also dabbling in the transfer market, though an attempt to lure Chester City striker Daryl Clare to Cumbria did not come off. Nonetheless, he had useful goalscoring options already on board in the likes of Karl Hawley – fresh from an outing with England C against Italy – and the popular Brazilian loanee from Wigan Athletic, Magno Vieira.
The latter was rested and among the subs, while Cumbrian defender Lee Andrews and the versatile Peter Murphy came into the side against Atkins’ men, who had won two games in 13 ahead of his Carlisle reunion. The visitors’ lack of form showed in a grinding opening spell.
Rovers lined up with a five-man midfield and seldom looked a level above United in quality or intent. Simpson’s side had plenty of early possession, but opportunities took time to emerge. Left-back Tom Cowan saw a shot blocked before McGill fired wide after being put through by Hawley.
Matty Glennon, in Carlisle’s goal, was tested by Paul Trollope while Junior Agogo failed to make the most of an opportunity on the counter-attack for Rovers.
United, though, remained live contenders for an upset with both Preece and Hawley narrowly denied an opener early in the second half, Rovers keeper Kevin Miller saving from Preece after a weak backpass, then keeping out Hawley’s follow-up.
Things remained tight throughout 90 closely-contested minutes. Agogo almost cracked it for Rovers after shrugging off Brian Shelley, but skimmed the top of United’s crossbar, while Glennon was alert to deny Lee Thorpe.
Neither side could find the breakthrough in normal time – but Carlisle then pounced in extra-time.
Simpson had introduced Vieira from the bench for Hawley nine minutes into the added period, and it took the Brazilian just ten more to make his mark.
Chris Lumsdon was the architect with a cross from the right. Another sub, Kevin Henderson, helped it on – and there was Vieira at the far post to head past Miller.
The 19-year-old’s opportunism won the day for Carlisle and a delighted Simpson. “It’s a fantastic result and I thought we showed real character,” said the player-boss. “We have shown over both games that we can compete with teams of Bristol Rovers’ quality.”
For Vieira, it was an eighth goal of an 11-goal season – and further reward on a night he was named the Conference’s player of the month. “I was a bit concerned that the game might head to penalties as I hate them,” he said. “It was a really special moment for me to head the winner.”
United's 1-0 win secured a second round trip to League One outfit Bournemouth, where they fell 2-1 with future Blues frontman Derek Holmes among the hosts’ scorers.
Left to focus on the league, Simpson’s side rode the waves of an unpredictable season to claim a play-off place – then going on to achieve that bounce-back promotion after defeating Aldershot and Stevenage.
It proved Vieira’s solitary season with the Blues, a mooted return the following campaign not materialising - while at Bristol, Atkins lasted until the following September, when he was replaced by Trollope.
Some 18 years later, Simpson achieved his next FA Cup win as United boss, against Tranmere Rovers, and this weekend aims to follow that up against Walsall in the second round.
As for Bristol Rovers, they go up against another former Blues FA Cup for of a certain infamy: Boreham Wood.
United: Glennon, Shelley, Andrews, Grand, Cowan, Lumsdon, Murphy, McGill, Billy, Hawley (Vieira), Preece, Henderson. Not used: Westwood, Roca, Arnison.
Bristol Rovers: Miller, Ryan, Hunt, Hinton, Edwards, Elliott, Lescott, Campbell (Gibb), Savage (Thorpe), Trollope (Haldane) Agogo. Not used: Forrester, Burns.
Crowd: 4,813.
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