United's winning run rumbles on ...
Carlisle United made it three league wins in three games to climb out of the relegation zone with yet another performance full of hard work, quality and clinical finishing.
An early free kick for the visitors found Whelpdale in the box and his cushioned header left Lee with options. The striker spun on the spot but volleyed his snapshot wide.
Carlisle got forward in numbers from the goal kick and a half clearance sat up nicely for Grainger. He had to rush his shot, on his weaker foot, and Day was able to watch as it flew away to safety.
United kept the ball well in midfield and space opened up for a deep cross from Dempsey. Brough arrived late at the back stick but Henry recovered to get a vital touch.
Stevenage settled and they enjoyed a decent spell as Pett pulled strings on the flanks. His early cross from a Wells pass had Whelpdale interested but he couldn't keep his header down as he rose to meet it.
A gap then opened up for Pett when Stevenage moved the ball through the middle of the park but the shot from distance was the wrong option when he had runners left and right.
Both sides had to work hard to find space but United threatened when a Grainger free kick dropped at the far post. Potts stretched but it came off the top of his head and rose over the target.
United started to boss it and they got their reward when Dempsey made space for himself in a dangerous area. Potts called for it and he scored his second of the week when he took a touch, wrong footed his marker and drilled a left foot shoot underneath the surprised keeper.
Stevenage looked for an early response but Pett and Deacon finished poorly having played their part in decent passages of build up play.
Carlisle doubled their lead just before the half hour when a wonderful pass from left to right from Grainger caught the visitors on the hop. Potts took it on and his run and cross into the danger area had Steven Rigg on his toes. The dream home debut was confirmed when the nippy striker kept his eye on the ball and rattled his close range volley into the roof of the net.
The hosts looked full of energy and Patrick Brough caused yet more problems when he opened his legs to get to a very deep delivery. His first time volley whipped past Day but Beck was left with his head in his hands as it flew past him on its way to a goal kick.
The back four were reminded they still had work to do when Parrett eased his way onto a through ball 35 yards out. He went for glory but Hanford was able to watch it all the way.
United worked hard through the important early minutes of the second half and a long ball forward was cushioned well by Beck on the edge of the box. Rigg was onto it and his volley missed by a whisker as it ricocheted wickedly off Wells and left Day rooted to the spot once more.
Another Wells deflection, when he tried to get in the way of a Grainger short corner routine, left Day in no man's land yet again and it was a relieved Ronnie Henry who hooked it away as it bounced back off the underside of the bar.
A flick from a White throw sent Rigg past his man as United started to pick their moments to get forward and Ashton had to slide in before Potts could finish it off.
Three corners in quick succession gave the Carlisle back line work to do and Hanford had to go full stretch to stop Bond from finding the bottom corner when he rattled a stinging drive at the bottom corner.
Patient build up play from Elliott, Grainger and Robson eventually led to a shot from White which found its way into the side netting as it curled through bodies from a tight and difficult angle.
It was more direct stuff from Robson when he got the ball out of his feet and swung a low cross across the face of goal. Beck stretched but he couldn't quite make up the ground it needed.
Elliott brought a fine one handed save from Day as United continued to attack with quality and their afternoon was rounded off in style when White beat his man on the right hand edge of the box. His powerful cross was smashed into the back of the net when Mark Beck lost his marker and connected with a firm, unstoppable volley.
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Goals
United - Potts (16), Rigg (28), Beck (87)
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Bookings
United - Grainger (7)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Hanford, White, Archibald-Henville, Thirlwell, Grainger, Dicker, Potts (Symington 90), Brough (Robson 73), Dempsey, Beck, Rigg (Elliott 75). Subs - Caig, Sweeney, Gillies, O'Hanlon.
Stevenage - Day, Bond (Calcutt 83), Whelpdale (Johnson 30), Charles, Pett, Parrett, Wells, Beardsley (Ashton 65), Lee, Henry, Deacon. Subs - D Beasant, Richens, Dembele, Conlon.
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Referee - Mr David Webb
Attendance - 4,011 (68 away fans)
