Report from the Saturday afternoon home game
Carlisle equalled the record set during the Conference campaign of 13 unbeaten games at the start of a season, but they were made to work hard as they were reduced to ten men with just over 30 minutes left to play.United opened things up with a great example of the flowing football they've employed this season when Tom Miller and Kennedy combined to put Ibehre behind the back line. His cut back was good until Carroll poked out a toe to get in the way.
A Carlisle break on three minutes gathered momentum when Ibehre latched on to a high ball. He spread it wide for Adams and his first time cross was just an inch too high for Shaun Miller to able to make it count.
Hartlepool started to see more of the ball and they robbed possession when an underhit pass invited Laurent forward. He found Hawkins and a fierce 20-yarder fizzed just over the bar.
Thomas sent a poor free kick well wide as Hartlepool enjoyed the bulk of the early possession and he was close again on 12 minutes when he tucked inside with the ball at his feet. He went for the early drilled effort and it whipped just wide.
The wind was taken out of the Pools' sails on 20 minutes when Shaun Miller made a fantastic run and screamed for the ball. His first touch was wonderful and he wasted no time at all in ripping it across the grass and into the area. The weight and bend took it away from Carson and Jabo Ibehre used his power to get there first. There was no way he was going to miss and the crowd went wild as he smashed it in.
One-touch football became the order of the day and Jones, Kennedy, Adams and Grainger clipped their way to the edge of the area as Hartlepool chased shadows. Shaun Miller was fed through but his attempt was blocked before it could trouble the target.
Amond flicked a whipped cross wide with a glanced header as the visitors tried to get back into the game and Gillesphey had to clear off the line as Alessandra raced from deep with the ball. He worked his way into the area and prodded it past the keeper, but the defender had tracked back to hook it away.
Carlisle should have doubled the lead just ahead of the break when a long Grainger free kick was only partially cleared by Nsiala. Shaun Miller was onto it like a flash but he wheeled away in disappointment as his thundering volley rose over the bar.
Striker Jabo Ibehre showed strength to win the ball, and then beat two to get into the area, and his cross was heading for Adams until Richards slid back. The corner routine brought Jones into play and his cross was put back into the mix by Raynes. Kennedy timed his run to meet it but Carson somehow made the point-blank save with an outstretched hand. It squirmed out to a tight angle and Ibehre thrashed it over the bar as he tried to find the target.
United started to look like a side on a mission and patient play brought Tom Miller forward. He crossed early and Pools had to clear before Shaun Miller could strike.
The home side were reduced to ten men with just over half an hour to play when Shaun Miller was shown a yellow for the second time in the game for kicking the ball away.
Hartlepool made the one-man advantage count almost immediately when a deep cross came off Jones and sat up nicely for Alessandra. He put his laces through it and it smashed into the top corner.
Carlisle were stung and they were back in front straight away when Adams rolled a 23-yard free kick into Danny Grainger's path. He picked his spot and Carson had no chance as it zipped into his bottom corner.
It was suddenly end-to-end and Thomas was unlucky as he ran itno the box and crossed it low. It was heading over the line until Tom Miller scooped it away.
But it was a short-lived reprieve as Gillespie dived low to save a snapshot from Paynter. Padraig Amond shouted for it to be pulled back and he got his wish, and his goal, as he finished the cut back off.
There was no time to draw breath as Grainger sent a cracker of a corner onto the penalty spot. Michael Raynes jumped high and his header looped into the net as Carson flapped at thin air.
Alessandra had a goal ruled out for offside late in the day but United saw it through to claim the points and to equal that impressive club record.
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Goals
Carlisle United - Ibehre (20), Grainger (69), Raynes (79)
Hartlepool United - Alessandra (66), Amond (75)
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Bookings
Carlisle United - S Miller (29, 57 - sent off), Grainger (63)
Hartlepool United - Harrison (67)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, T Miller, Raynes, Gillesphey, Grainger, Kennedy, Joyce, Jones, Adams (Asamoah 69, Brisley 82)), S Miller, Ibehre (Wyke 58). Subs - Crocombe, Ellis, Devitt, Lambe.
Hartlepool United - Carson, Carroll (Woods 83), Thomas, Amond, Alessandra, Hawkins, Richards (Paynter 59), Nsiala, Harrison, Laurent, Donnelly. Subs - Bartlett, Deverdics, Orrell, Martin, Heardman.
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Referee - Mr Darren Bond
Attendance - 7,333 (887 away)
