Hartlepool 0 - 3 United

It was end to end from the off and a long ball over the top caused confusion for Bates as he waited for Flinders to come out and collect. A moment of hesitation brought an instinctive poke from the defender and he was relieved to see the ball bobble wide for a corner with the keeper completely out of the equation.

Carlisle kept the forward momentum going and a whipped cross from Brough had Rigg interested as he arrived late. He was a whisker away from the touch he needed until Austin stepped in to make the clearance.

Determination from Beck in midfield sent Amoo on a run on the right flank as Hartlepool struggled to adjust to the early pace of the game. His initial cross was blocked but Potts slid in to win it back inside the box. Amoo clipped a lovely ball to the far post and it was almost a dream debut for Rigg as he connected firmly with a downward header. Flinders spread himself and somehow completed a wonderful save to prevent it from crossing the line.

It was all about the Cumbrians as they continued to dominate midfield and right back Hayden White found freedom to get forward when Amoo beat two and skipped clear. His pass sat nicely for the shot but he scuffed it and dragged it well wide.

Pools enjoyed a good spell midway through the half and they almost made it count when Brobbel put Duckworth into a good area. His cross ricocheted into the air off White but Charlie Wyke was off balance and what looked to be a simple tap in went begging right in front of goal.

The defence came under pressure again moments later when a low kick from Hanford was picked up by Miller. He spotted Brobbel with time on his hands but the back four reshaped quickly to close the door.

It was an intriguing game to watch and Beck thought he’d found a way through when he muscled his way onto an inswinging Grainger free kick. His header was goal bound until Harrison intervened.

Hartlepool were next to ask questions when a lobbed pass from Miller was nodded down by Wyke. Harewood had to work hard to get his body shape right but he wrapped his boot round it and stroked a decent effort just over the bar.

United started the second half as they had left the first, with a willingness to attack, and a piercing drive from Potts took him into the box. His cut back found Rigg but his first time shot curled just wide of the upright with Flinders completely unsighted.

Carlisle were camped forward and Brough and Rigg fashioned an opening for Potts when they battled for possession at a tight angle. The midfielder struck it well but Flinders was well placed to beat it away.

Pools got forward as the action ebbed and flowed and Miller and Wyke had to be marshalled as they tried to pick a way through. Harewood eventually beat his man to send the ball into the danger area and Hanford had to dive to his right to make the save when Franks let fly with a stinging effort.

United got the lead their overall play deserved when Grainger launched a long throw into the box. Beck flicked it on and local lad Steven Rigg shrugged his marker out of the way to get the vital touch which marked his Football League debut with a real personal high point.

The hosts were almost back on terms within minutes when Brobbel won then took a corner with some enterprising play. Bates showed for it but his header lacked direction as it flew across the face of goal.

Brobbel suddenly looked a danger man but he was disappointed when he beat Grainger only to clip a poor cross onto the roof of the net.

Carlisle weathered the mini-storm and Rigg received another round of applause when he met a Potts cross on the full. The header was good, but easy to save. And Potts rattled an off balance shot just wide, when he called for a lay off from Beck, as United started to get themselves back on top.