Carlisle United secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season as the Blues beat Aldershot Town 3-1 at the EBB Stadium.
A first-half brace from David Ajiboye and a late Micah Obiero goal proved to be the difference in a crucial away victory in Hampshire, despite Dominic Odusanya pulling a late goal back.
Head Coach Rob Elliot made one change from Tuesday’s victory against AFC Fylde, with Ajiboye replacing Georgie Kelly, while Obeiro returned from international duty with Kenya to feature in the matchday sqaud.
The hosts would create the opening opportunities of the match, but Adam Desbois was equal to efforts from both Adom-Malaki and Marcus Dinanga.
United, with their first meaningful attack of the afternoon, would take the lead through Ajiboye, who finished off a brilliant team move by getting on the end of Miguel Azeez’s low ball into the box.
The Shots would go searching for an instant response, Dinanga unleashed a powerful strike which was well saved by Desbois.
The Blues would take control of the majority for the first-half, with Regan Linney and Teddy Jenks having efforts kept out by Nick Hayes in the Aldershot goal.
Ajiboye would get his and United’s second of the afternoon after some brilliant work from Josh Williams down the left-hand side to set him up.
He would very nearly complete his hat-trick before the half was out, but he was inches away from connecting with Jenks’ cross.
HALF-TIME: ALDERSHOT TOWN 0-2 CARLISLE UNITED
United started the second-half with intent, Linney was twice denied by Hayes from close range.
Azeez was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet after he drove through midfield, but he was eventually stopped.
The hosts would try to find a route back into the game, substitute Tristan Abrahams had his route to goal blocked by captain Morgan Feeney, who produced a top last-ditch tackle.
Aldershot would find a late route back into the match, courtesy of Dominic Odusanya, who volleyed the ball past Desbois from the edge of the box.
Any hope that the Shots would rescue a late point would be distinguished when the Blues scored within two minutes of the final whistle, Obiero was on hand to tap in Ryan Galvin’s ball across the box in from close range.
FULL-TIME: ALDERSHOT TOWN 1-3 CARLISLE UNITED
Teams:
Aldershot Town: Hayes, Oshilaja (C), Odusanya, Dinanga (Abrahams 64’), Sandah, Stickland, Adom-Malaki, Peart (Matton 41’), Lawless, Oladunjoye (Joyce 33’), Lewis
Not used: Patmore, Borgnis, Wyllie, Alves
Carlisle United: Desbois, Bunker, Feeney (C), Azeez, Ajiboye (Obiero 66’), Linney (Whelan 84’), Nicholson, Duru, Ellis (Anderson 90’), Williams (Galvin 84’), Jenks (Wearne 66’)
Not used: Mair, Richardson
Goals:
Aldershot Town: (Odudanya 89’)
Carlisle United: (Ajiboye 12’, 28’) (Obiero 90+1’)
Yellow cards:
Aldershot Town: (Oshilaja 76’), (Stickland 87’)
Carlisle United: (Ellis 62’), (Nicholson 74’)
Red cards:
Aldershot Town: N/A
Carlisle United: N/A
Attendance:
2935 (379 away)
