Last updated at 16:56, Tuesday, 01 January 2013

Danny Livesey was the culprit at both ends as Carlisle United started 2013 with a defeat at Crewe.

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Livesey's mistake allowed Lauri Dalla Valle to head the hosts in front shortly before half-time.

And the big defender missed United's best chance of an equaliser, putting a sitter over the bar in the 72nd minute.

The Cumbrians were unable to find a way back and Dalla Valle's goal proved enough to end their two-game winning run.

It came after Livesey's weak header allowed Crewe's Bradden Inman to shoot, and when Mark Gillespie saved his attempt, Dalla Valle looped a header over Chris Chantler on the line.

It was a painful blow to the Cumbrians, who had earlier gone closest to scoring in a tight first half.

Brad Potts almost opened his Blues account after 30 minutes, but was denied by keeper Steve Phillips at close range after Lee Miller had dummied Matty Robson's cross.

Robson had shot off target in the opening stages, with Crewe having attempts through Mathias Pogba and Byron Moore.

Potts again almost got on the end of a Liam Noble pass after the break, and then Greg Abbott brought on fit-again Rory Loy with 20 minutes to go, the striker making his first appearance for more than a year.

But it was Livesey who had the golden chance to level after a scramble, but he blazed over from point-blank range.

Loy shot over the bar in the closing stages and Carlisle could not find a way through despite putting heavy pressure on the Railwaymen.

United: Gillespie, Simek, Chantler, Edwards, Livesey, Potts, Berrett, Noble, Robson, McGovern, Miller. Subs: Collin, Murphy, Welsh, Loy, Beck, Symington, McGinty.

Crewe: Phillips, Tootle, Davis, Ellis, Murphy, Pogba, Osman, Inman, Mellor, Moore, Dalla Valle. Subs: Martin, Dugdale, Clayton, Leitch Smith, Robertson, Aneke, Colclough.

First published at 14:04, Tuesday, 01 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk