But after a promising start, the way in which the Carolina RailHawks ended Wednesday's contest - a 1-1 draw at FC Edmonton - left a bitter taste in the team's mouth.

Midfielder Brian Farber, making his first start since May 14, scored in the second minute. After 108 seconds, the RailHawks were up 1-0.

In the 22nd minute, Carolina had a one-man advantage as Edmonton defender John Janke was sent off with a red card for a reckless and late tackle on RailHawks midfielder Matt Watson.

But the RailHawks went scoreless over the last 88-plus minutes of play and gave up a shorthanded goal in the 76th minute on a penalty kick taken by Shaun Saiko. Then in the 77th minute, Carolina had one of its own players sent off as John Krause picked up his second yellow card of the day.

It was a tie on the road, but Carolina had hoped for something more.

"Obviously, we started real well with the goal and we were playing well after that," RailHawks coach Martin Rennie said in a statement.

"But I felt like when they got a man sent off, it affected us a bit. We didn't possess the ball as well as we wanted to. And they played well, being down to 10 men."

The RailHawks (12-2-2) are still in first in the NASL, but got just one point, one goal and no wins on the road trip to Edmonton and previously NSC Minnesota (Minnesota won 1-0).

The RailHawks will play their next game at home on Saturday, as Edmonton (7-4-4) will make the return trip to WakeMed Soccer Park.

"We've done really well, and now we need a little break to recharge our batteries and get ready to go again," Rennie said.