Frustration grows for honest Murray

Glenn Murray is going through one of those frustrating little spells all strikers suffer.

Following four goals in his first five starts for Albion he has failed to take numerous chances in the last three matches.

Murray can argue, with some justification, that good goalkeeping has denied him against Leyton Orient, Gillingham and his home town club Carlisle.

That was the case in the first half at Brunton Park and he still emerged from a frustrating return to the ground where his professional career began with a lot of credit.

Albion have not just purchased a promising striker but a refreshingly honest one as well. In an era of theatrical diving and con artists, Murray brought a bit of decency back to the game.

The Seagulls had just fallen behind when he went down under a challenge inside the Carlisle box. Referee Mike Pike, who was well-placed, had his whistle to his mouth but decided it was not a penalty.

Murray's team-mates sensed something fishy. They surrounded the Cumbrian official, taking charge of Cumbria's only league club, to berate his verdict.

A feeling of injustice in the Albion camp, particularly after such a risky refereeing appointment, would still be lingering now were it not for Murray.

Firstly he was soon back on his feet, which helped Pike make the correct decision. Secondly, and more significantly, he was not among the protesting throng.

"That's because I did not feel it was (a penalty)," he said matter-of-factly. "There was no contact."

That is not the sort of remark you hear too often in post-match interviews on Match Of The Day, a sad reflection of the way the game has been corrupted by cheating at the highest level.

Murray could reach that level himself one day. If, over a period of time, he improves his goals-to-chances ratio then Albion will be able to add a nought to his £300,000 purchase price from Rochdale, which, although a huge outlay for the Seagulls, is a pittance for a striker by modern standards.

He has plenty else going for him, examples of which were on display on a blustery day back in his home county.

There was individual skill early on when, collecting possession midway inside the Carlisle half, Murray ghosted past a couple of challenges before dragging a shot narrowly wide.

His movement is also instinctively impressive. Ian Westlake, making only his second appearance, knew exactly where he wanted the ball and the on-loan Leeds midfielder threaded through an inch-perfect pass to release him inside the area.

Unfortunately, Keiren Westwood blocked the shot and Murray must have known it was just not going to be his day when, in the 34th minute, the Carlisle keeper foiled him again in extraordinary fashion.

Murray looked odds-on to score when Westwood spilled David Martot's low angled drive. His attempt to convert the rebound from point blank range ricocheted, via Westwood, back on to him and then against the post.

It was a big turning point as, just a minute later, Carlisle got their noses in front. Martot fell asleep from a quickly taken free-kick, allowing Simon Hackney to escape in behind him down the left.

He pulled the ball back for Danny Graham, pipped by Murray to the League One player of the month prize for February, to convert his fifth goal in seven games and 14th of the campaign with the aid of a deflection.

Carlisle's clinching second goal just before the hour was also softly conceded. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's corner was not properly dealt with and nobody reacted as the ball drifted through for Peter Murphy to retrieve beyond the far post.

He hooked it back in for fellow central defender Danny Livesey to volley the high-flying hosts to a 12th home league win in succession.

Carlisle, strong candidates for automatic promotion, are no world-beaters but they make John Ward's 4-5-1 system work very effectively. Significantly, they have chiselled out nine 1-0 wins this season.

The tireless Graham has taken over the lone-striker role vacated by the injured Joe Garner and Bridge-Wilkinson, operating in that no man's land between the opposition defence and midfield, caused Albion problems.

A bare and muddy pitch, the often bleak weather and the length of the journey combine to make Brunton Park an unwelcoming outpost and contribute to Carlisle's formidable home record.

Albion's own unbeaten run in a burst of five successive home matches resurrected play-off ambitions. That hope has not been obliterated by one defeat but regular watchers of the team this season would probably agree their current mid-table position is also about where they are likely to finish.

This was another case of nearly but not quite against the sides at the top. Competing with them is one thing, beating them has so far, with the exception of Southend at Withdean back in September, been beyond Dean Wilkins' side.

Wilkins, referring primarily to the two goals Albion conceded, said: "The higher you go and the better the opponents you play, it is the finer detail that either wins you the game or lets you down. That was definitely the case."

The struggle against the League One elite does not augur well for the Seagulls' promotion prospects, with Walsall, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Leeds all to follow in what remains of a hectic and pivotal March.

Nor does the fact that four of those matches are away, considering only one point has been taken from the last 18 on their travels. They may yet surprise us, as the promising Murray has with honesty all too rare.

ALBION (4-4-2): Michel Kuipers (GK), Andrew Whing (RB), Tommy Elphick (CB), Adam El-Abd (CB), Matt Richards (LB), Tommy Fraser (RM), David Martot (CM), Steven Thomson (CM), Ian Westlake (LM), Glenn Murray (CF), Nicky Forster (CF). Subs: Jake Robinson (for Fraser 70), Doug Loft (for Martot 70), Gary Hart (for Forster 78), Joel Lynch, John Sullivan.

YELLOW CARD: Whing 40 RED CARDS: None.

CARLISLE (4-5-1): Kieran Westwood (GK), David Raven (RB), Peter Murphy (CB), Danny Livesey (CB), Evan Horwood (LB), Cleveland Taylor (RM), Grant Smith (CM), Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (CM), Simon Hackney (LM), Danny Graham (CF), Chris Lumsdon (CM). Subs: Jeff Smith (for G.Smith 78), Danny Carlton (for Taylor 83), Gary Madine (for Graham 88), Paul Arnison, Chris Howarth, YELLOW CARD: Murphy 50 RED CARDS: None.

GOALS: Graham 35, Livesey 59.

How important is victory for Albion at Walsall tomorrow?