United welcomed in September with their second home game of the week - Salford City were the visitors on this occasion.
Right back Kelvin Mellor, captured from Morecambe ahead of deadline day, made his first start for the club with fellow new arrival Jordan Gibson taking a seat on the bench.
The opening five minutes saw both sides jockey for position and Norman was needed when Morris broke through from deep. Asante picked him out with a slick through ball and the midfielder found power as he twisted his body. The big keeper had closed the gap and he made an excellent block-save at close range.
United were almost through at the other end when Dickenson took control of a high ball with his toe. He fed it onwards to Clough but a heavy touch took the shooting opportunity away.
Carlisle came again and they were in the lead with their next move when Riley launched a long throw into the mix. Mellor tussled for it, and it broke free for Dickenson to volley from just inside the area. Jeacock could do nothing as it hit the inside of the post and crossed the line.
Home tails were up and another corner at the Waterworks End saw Armer lose his man. A touch on his shoulder forced him to spin as he jumped to meet it and he could only head it wide.
Mellor was next to reveal that he has a long throw in his armoury when he arrowed one towards the penalty spot from the right flank. It was cleared, but it was one heck of a missile.
The Ammies went close on 15 minutes when Shephard strode forward. He played it inside, and Morris was once again on the move. He caught it well but Mellor was there to deflect it past the target.
Henderson then nodded over when the deep corner was recycled, in what was a good spell for the visitors.
Norman was at his best again when he showed excellent anticipation to stop Lund from scoring when he screamed in to get on the end of a touch from Asante at the back stick.
But an error from the golovesman almost unexpectedly opened the door when a hurried kick went straight to McAleny, who was on the angle of the area. He bore down on goal, but the stopper redeemed himself with a touch from his boot. Asante ran onto the loose pieces but he lost his balance and poked a poor effort well wide.
Zach Clough had the ball in the net on 29 minutes, but his run had started from an offside position, with the referee having to blow his whistle to signal the offence as his assistant waited and waited before raising the flag.
More good work from Mellor over on the right saw him step inside before clipping a pass to Mellish. He turned and shot in one movement but it was straight at Jeacock.
A break from a long kick forward from the black shirts found Asante with a glanced header, and that allowed Henderson to run free. He slowed things down as he waited for McAleny to appear, but his attempt at finding him had too much oomph and the ball bobbled harmlessly away.
United were on the attack just before half time when a low pass from Armer from deep inside his own half put Abrahams one-on-one with Jeacock. The ball spun and slowed down as the striker tried to get it under his control and his shot missed the power it needed as he tried to take it early.
The Ammies were on terms on 44 minutes when Morris chose to shoot as the ball came his way on the right hand angle of the area. It stayed low and somehow found its way past the dive from the keeper, and it nestled just inside the bottom corner.
The first 45 minutes came to a close with a run across the face of the area from Dickenson. He rolled it into the box, and it was begging to be touched. Touray was first to make contact and Ndaba completed the clearance.
A burst of pace and a delightful delivery from Dickenson was part of a bright second period start from United but it fell between Clough and Abrahams as they split their runs.
McAleny headed wide when Shephard swung one in, with the game ticking it over at a cautious pace, and winger Jordan Gibson was introduced to the home crowd when he replaced Clough with 35 minutes left to play.
Captain Callum Guy had McDonald interested when he popped a deep free kick into the box, but Salford were able to clear after the ball stuck under a visiting defensive boot.
Gibson crossed when he found space moments later and it skipped off the surface to evade Turnbull. Dickenson was on it, but it broke down and the blue shirts had to come again. The outlet was Dickenson as he yet again found the gaps, and his whipped delivery was just an inch too far in front of the onrushing Abrahams.
Riley found another great throw that piled more pressure on, with both Mellor and McDonald getting touches. It was temporarily hooked away, but Carlisle had flooded the box and Abrahams did well as he took it on his chest when it was rattled back at him by McDonald, who had initially taken a pass from Guy. Jon Mellish was there to drill the loose ball home emphatically and to open his account for the campaign.
The quality of crosses from Dickenson was high, and an outswinger just needed a touch as it bent behind Abrahams.
United thought they'd scored on 71 minutes when a Guy corner found its way to Gibson. He was 17-yards out, at an angle, and he kept his effort low after he'd dropped his shoulder. Jeacock saw it late, and it spilled invitingly inside the six-yard area. A defender got there just in time.
Callum Guy showed real determination to intercept then win a corner after running from the halfway line, and his delivery was nodded back by Whelan after it had been cleared. Mellor went for an elaborate overhead kick and it landed on the roof of the net.
A slick Cumbrian move saw flicks from Dickenson and Alessandra release Mellish, and his cut-back was there for Alessandra to hit. He had to overstretch and Jeacock dropped low to claim it.
Salford had a brief flurry with crosses from left and right, but Dickenson eased the pressure when he stepped away before sending the ball down the line. Alessandra was onto it, and he turned his man before picking out the run from Riley. The midfielder had to readjust and his finish was wayward.
Another break from Alessandra put the Blues three against one late in the day, and he bounced it off Gibson as the pair looked for a way through. The striker got it back, and he was unlucky to see his shot hit a leg and spin past the upright.
Kelvin Mellor was superb as the covering defender on 90 minutes, when he remained calm when dealing with a teaser of a long pass, and that sprung another pounce forward, with Alessandra on the end of it. He lost his man but his shot was scuffed.
Elliott headed over from a quickly taken corner routine in time added on but the Blues were good for their three points as the final whistle blew.
+++++++
Match Day Sponsors
Match Sponsor – SM Flooring
Click HERE to visit the SM Flooring official website.
Match Sponsor – CPM Joinery & Building Ltd
Click HERE to visit the CPM Joinery official website.
Associate Sponsor – Rickerby Retreat
Click HERE to visit the Rickerby Retreat official website.
Match Ball Sponsor – Heineken
Click HERE to visit the Heineken UK official website.
+++++++
Goals
Carlisle United - Dickenson (8), Mellish (60)
Salford City - Morris (44)
+++++++
Bookings
Carlisle United - Abrahams (29), Clough (37), Guy (84)
Salford City - Turnbull (39), Lowe (70)
+++++++
Teams
Carlisle United - Norman, Mellor, Whelan, McDonald, Armer, Riley, Guy, Mellish, Clough (Gibson 55), Abrahams (Alessandra 74), Dickenson (Mampala 83). Subs - Jensen, Charters, Feeney, Young.
Salford City - Jeacock, Touray, Lowe, Ndaba, Lund (Willock 82), Morris, Turnbull, McAleny, Shephard (Elliott 79), Asante (Hunter 61), Henderson (c). Subs - Torrance (gk), Mellor, Smith, Nmai.
+++++++
Match officials
Referee - Martin Coy
Assistant Referee 1 - Chris Isherwood
Assistant Referee 2 - Peter Gooch
Fourth Official - Andrew Miller
Observer - Jeff Ward
+++++++
Attendance - 4,761 (172)
