Tom Taiwo and Evan Horwood returned to the starting line up for the visit of Gillingham as Carlisle United looked for a return to winning ways after a poor run of results.

Gillingham started in attacking mood and they should have scored with just 3 minutes on the clock when a ball through the middle found Jackson on the sprint. He took it round the advancing Adam Collin but he couldn't find the back of the net as the angle started to tighten.

Adam Clayton sent a long range effort at Julian when United mounted their first attack on 7 minutes, and a mazy run from Keogh on 11 minutes left the Gillingham back line stunned. Matt Robson took over but Julian was able to beat his shot away as it arrowed towards the bottom corner.

An Ian Harte free kick from the edge of the area on 13 minutes resulted in almighty goalmouth scramble and Scott Dobie was unlucky to see his triple-effort blocked on every occasion.

Hurst tried his luck from 28 yards on 14 minutes as Carlisle pressed their visitors back, but it took a deflection and the keeper was able to watch it all the way.

The Cumbrians survived by the skin of their teeth on 24 minutes when a curling free kick was nodded goalwards by Richards. Collin was beaten but it hit the bar, and Dickson ballooned the rebound high into the stands.

It was a head in the hands moment for Adam Clayton on 34 minutes when he took a touch to control an Ian Harte cross. That created some space but his left foot volley fizzed just the wrong side of the upright with Julian scrambling to touch it.

A flying elbow on Ian Harte was ignored by the officials on 39 minutes and Greg Abbott found himself in the stands when the fourth official asked for him to be sent off as he complained about the lack of protection for his player.

Harte exacted his revenge in perfect fashion on 41 minutes when he swept a beautiful 19-yard free kick over the wall and into the back of the net to register his 13th goal of the season.

One touch football put Taiwo clear on 44 minutes but Julian did well to get down and palm the ball away. Duffy tried to get the second ball but Richards stepped in to clear it at the vital moment.

Half Time: United 1 - 0 Gills

Simeon Jackson tested the Carlisle back line immediately after the restart with a run into the area but Horwood did enough to deflect the shot into the side netting. The corner scuffed up off Harte's head, but there was noone there to finish it off for the visitors.

John Nutter then found himself undone by Robson on 51 minutes when the United winger skipped past him and a hanging boot brought a trip and a clear penalty decision. Ian Harte placed the ball on the spot and left Julian with no chance when he crashed it into the top corner.

Tom Taiwo sent an angled shot right at Julian as Carlisle claimed the ascendency and Matt Robson unleashed a thunderbolt that was a whisker away when he went past his man once more.

Flowing football involving Duffy and Robson carved Gillingham wide open on 67 minutes and the left winger did everything right as he found Dobie in the area. The volley was net bound until the keeper stopped it with his legs.

Adam Collin had to tip a Barcham shot wide as the visitors mounted a rare attack, but it was Ian Harte who was almost writing the headlines with a 24 yard free kick that shaved the post as it nestled in the wrong side of the side netting.

Matt Robson had another run and shot as the game remained comfortable for the home side, and the whistle blew on what was an easy and much needed win for the Cumbrians.

Goals

United - Harte (41, 48 pen)

Teams

United - Collin, Keogh, Livesey, Harte, Horwood, Hurst (Marshall 81), Clayton, Taiwo (Thirlwell 80), Robson, Dobie, Duffy. Subs (not used) - Gillespie, Murphy, Kavanagh, Offiong, Kane.

Gills - Julian, Nutter, Richards, Maher (Oli 72), Palmer (Lewis 72), Jackson, Miller, Dickson (Barcham 72), Jackman, Howe, Dennehy. Subs (not used) - Royce, Gowling, Weston, Walker.

Away fans - 218