Morgan Feeney and substitute David Ajiboye scored eight minutes apart as Carlisle United came from behind to beat Solihull Moors 2-1 at Damson Park, extending their unbeaten National League run to five matches and condemning the hosts to another defeat after they had led at half-time.
Solihull handed a debut to goalkeeper Sam Johnson, recently signed on loan from FC Halifax Town, while Ryan Woods returned to the starting line-up. Both sides had to contend with strong wind and rain, and the hosts threatened early when Ben Wodskou turned inside the penalty area and had a shot deflected behind.
Carlisle created opportunities of their own, with Teddy Jenks heading over from a Leo Duru cross before Micah Obiero raced on to a through-ball and rounded Johnson. The goalkeeper delayed Obiero long enough for Jevon Mills to recover and clear his effort before it crossed the line.
The visitors came even closer shortly before the interval when former Solihull midfielder Callum Whelan cut inside and struck the outside of the post from around 20 yards. Solihull then took the lead in the third minute of first-half stoppage time after Jacob Wakeling won a free-kick. Marvin Johnson’s delivery was only partially cleared and Wodskou struck a powerful left-footed effort from a tight angle to beat Adam Desbois.
Carlisle threatened after the restart as Regan Linney drove a shot over the bar, while Desbois raced from his goal at the other end to prevent Wodskou reaching a through-ball. The visitors then introduced Ajiboye, Miguel Azeez and Ryan Galvin shortly after the hour, replacing Josh Williams, Jenks and Bradley Nicholson.
The equaliser arrived in the 69th minute when Azeez struck from outside the penalty area and his deflected effort fell to captain Feeney, who finished past Johnson to bring Carlisle level. Solihull introduced Joe Sbarra for Woods shortly afterwards, but the visitors continued to threaten.
Ajiboye headed wide at full stretch before Mills blocked another of his attempts, but the substitute made the breakthrough in the 77th minute. Whelan delivered from the right and Ajiboye met the cross with a side-footed volley that beat Johnson to put Carlisle ahead for the first time.
Solihull almost equalised during the closing stages when Tyler French hooked a close-range effort narrowly wide from a corner. The defender then prevented Carlisle adding a third with a goal-line clearance, while Elias Kachunga nearly reached a Jacob Wakeling flick-on in stoppage time. The visitors held on to complete the turnaround.
The victory was Carlisle’s fourth in five unbeaten league matches, following wins over AFC Fylde and Aldershot Town and a goalless draw with Kidderminster Harriers. Rob Elliot’s side climbed to 11th with 20 points from 14 games.
Solihull suffered a fourth successive National League defeat and remained 23rd with seven points from 14 matches. Chris Millington’s side have now lost 11 of their opening 14 league games, with Wodskou’s first-half goal ultimately proving insufficient to halt their run.
