Carlisle United went top of the Enterprise National League after a 2-0 win over FC Halifax Town at Brunton Park.
Junior Luamba grabbed a brace in an electric performance from the Blues winger as they secured another vital three points.
Mark Hughes was forced into a change before kick-off, with Terell Thomas replacing Aaron Hayden in the starting line-up in the centre of defence.
Jamie Cooke was the first to fire at Gabe Breeze’s goal when the ball fell to him inside the Blues’ penalty area, and he unleashed a fierce shot which flew wide.
United took the lead in the 15th minute through Luamba, who received the ball from Regan Linney on the right, and his deflected effort beat Sam Johnston at his near post.
The visitors struggled to contain United’s attacking threat, with Luamba again getting the ball on the right and having a shot saved.
Linney tried his luck from the left flank in the 35th with a curling effort, but it drifted past the upright.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 1-0 FC Halifax Town
Owen Bray tried to spark Adam Lakeland’s side into life when he caressed a shot from range, but Breeze was a match to the effort.
Linney and Luamba were a constant thorn in the Shaymen’s side, with both firing over the bar in quick succession.
Georgie Kelly came incredibly close to a second for the Blues after a Cameron Harper corner dropped to his feet in the penalty area, but his effort rolled just past the left post.
A neat move from United, which was Chris Conn-Clarke and Kelly, saw the ball fall to Linney, who wrapped a shot over the bar.
Conn-Clarke then teased his way into the visitors’ penalty area, but his shot was weak and collected by Johnson.
Luamba grabbed his and the Blues’ second in the 68th minute when Harper’s corner was poked towards goal with the United winger having the final touch on its way into the net.
Johnson produced a stunning save to deny Kelly’s volley when a corner fell to him, which looked destined for the top corner, before showing sharp reflexes to deny Harvey Macadam’s follow-up.
The Shaymen stopper had to be alive again to stop Stephen Wearne’s dipping shot from the edge of the box as the Blues sought a third goal as the game came to a close.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 2-0 FC Halifax Town
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Davies, Thomas (Ellis 10), Feeney, Harper, Macadam, Gilliead, Conn-Clarke (Wearne 70), Linney (Armstrong 87), Luamba, Kelly
Unused subs: Lewis, Whelan, Williams, Grant
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Hugill, Hobson, Hmani (Warburton 73), Harris, Cooke (Crowe 72), Cappello, Mills, Bray (Johnson 72), Turner-Cooke (Jenkins 84), Latty-Fairweather (Davenport 60)
Unused subs: Ford, Adetoro
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Luamba 15 68)
FC Halifax Town: N/A
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
FC Halifax Town: (Cooke 42)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
FC Halifax Town: N/A
Officials:
Referee - Gareth Thomas
Assistant Referee 1 - Martin Parker
Assistant Referee 2 - Francis Sibley
Fourth Official - Neil Evans
Attendance:
5897 (109 away)
