Carlisle United grabbed a crucial 2-1 win on the road against Braintree Town at the Rare Breed Meet Co. Stadium.
Regan Linney gave the Blues the lead in the first half, only to be pegged back by Lewis Walker on the stroke of half-time, but Cameron Harper struck late on to pick up the points.
Mark Hughes made two changes from the 1-0 win at FC Halifax Town on Tuesday, with Hugh Parker and Harper coming in for Luke Armstrong and Ryan Galvin, while Ephraim Yeboah came onto the bench after signing on loan from Bristol City on Thursday.
United made a bright start with David Ajiboye clipping a cross into Regan Linney, who held off a defender and shot across goal, which clipped the far post on its way wide.
Matt Dibley-Dias was the first to trouble Gabe Breeze’s goal for the hosts, curling an effort wide of the target from the edge of the box.
The Blues took the lead in the 34th minute when a quick counterattack combining Linney and Jack Ellis saw the United number ten drive into the box and cut in to fire past Mason Terry.
But Steve Pitt’s side were level in the 42nd minute after Walker received the ball in the penalty area before swivelling to shoot and beat Breeze at his near post.
Stephen Wearne came close to regaining the lead for United, curling an effort off the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area, with Parker failing to convert the rebound.
Ajboye looked to stretch the Iron’s defence, racing away from Drake down the left flank with Terry out sharply to block the Blues’ wingers’ poke at goal.
HALF-TIME: Braintree Town 1-1 Carlisle United
Archie Davies came on at the break and nearly made an immediate impact, neatly turning inside and unleashing a shot that drifted just wide.
A sharp turn from John Akinde saw him power a fierce half-volley, which was wayward and off target.
Harper sent a high cross into the box, which Morgan Feeney got onto, but could only divert the ball wide from close range.
Chris Conn-Clarke had the chance to test Terry with a free-kick on the edge of the box, but sent the effort over the crossbar.
The Blues found a winner in the 89th minute through Harper when Linney and Conn-Clarke combined from a short corner to lay off the United left back to whip a low effort past Terry into the bottom corner.
FULL-TIME: Braintree Town 1-2 Carlisle United
Teams:
Braintree Town: Terry, Francis-Clarke, Vennings, Battrum, Walker (Kamara 90), Akinde, Dibley-Dias, Drake, Clarridge, Okunowo (Cooper 76), Thorpe (Omrore 84)
Unused subs: Hadi, Harriott
Carlisle United: Breeze, Harper, Thomas, Feeney (C), Ajiboye (Yeboah 64), Linney, Wearne (Conn-Clarke 64), Ellis, Gilliead (Davies 46), Parker (Armstrong 64) (Whelan 82), Macadam
Unused subs: Mair, Mugabi
Goals:
Braintree Town - (Walker 42)
Carlisle United - (Linney 34) (Harper 89)
Yellow cards:
Braintree Town - (Okunowo 57) (Drake 80)
Carlisle United - N/A
Red cards:
Braintree Town - N/A
Carlisle United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Melissa Burgin
Assistant Referee 1 - Mehul Karia
Assistant Referee 2 - Daniel Bonneywell
Fourth Official - Alex Mathieson
Attendance:
1284 (454 away)
