SportFootball8 May 1999: Carlisle were surely on the verge of relegation when an on-loan hero made a 90-yard run into the box and scored.

Friday, 8th May 2020, 7:00 am

If ever a career was distilled into one moment, it was Jimmy Glasss. But what a moment. When the ball dropped to him in the 94th minute, five yards from goal, he dispatched it with a minimum of fuss Carlisle were safe from relegation and Glass had achieved goalkeeping immortality with one swing of his right boot.

Although Glass had just run 100 yards to score, the finish a shot into the bottom corner was arguably the least extraordinary aspect of Carlisles miraculous escape from relegation from the Football League, 21 years ago today.

There was quite a cast at Brunton Park that day in 1999. Nigel Pearson, in his first managerial job, passed the brandy bottle around the dressing room before kick off to try to calm the nerves of his Carlisle players.

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Watching from the stands was Michael Knighton, the chairman. To say he was unpopular with the bulk of the 7,599 crowd would be an understatement. The club was profitable but seemingly about to topple into the abyss.

In those pre-January window days, the transfer deadline fell in late March. It was under Knightons stewardship that Carlisle decided to sell their goalkeeper, Tony Caig, on deadline day and bring in Richard Knight on loan. When Knight was recalled by Derby, Carlisle had to beg the Football League for an emergency loan. Hartlepool protested but, little imagining what might transpire, the League agreed.Thus it was that 25-year-old Glass, who played as a striker at any opportunity in training, arrived from Swindon for the final three games. Carlisle drew the first two but then Scarborough won their game in hand also against Plymouth to move off the bottom.

It was a hot day. Plymouth defender Paul Gibbs broke his leg and the match was delayed, with profound consequences. Lee Phillips put Argyle ahead after half-time, before defender David Brightwell equalised with 28 minutes left.

Scarboroughs game against Peterborough ended 1-1 and they waited on the pitch for 10 minutes for news. They were safe until Carlisle won a corner and Glass sprinted forward. As he recalled: Scott Dobie managed to get a header on target and the goalkeeper parried it straight out. As I arrived into the six-yard box, I was the only one in there. The ball fell to me perfectly. I blasted it in.

Cue pandemonium. Plymouth barely had time to kick off. Glass never played for Carlisle again, though, and two years later, he retired. He gambled heavily and played Sunday League football - as a free-scoring striker.

It took Eddie Howe, a former team-mate, to bring him back into the game in 2016 as a player liaison officer with Bournemouth. One moment ensures he will not be forgotten. It wasnt my goal, it was footballs goal, he said. I just happened to be in the middle of it.

On This Day in sport

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On This Day: Goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored the most dramatic of late goals to save Carlisle from relegation - inews