Carlisle United got back to winning ways after a 3-1 win against Altrincham at Brunton Park.
David Ajiboye struck first before Luke Armstrong, and an own goal saw the Blues lead by three at the break, with Jimmy Knowles getting onto the scoresheet for the Robins in the second half.
Ajiboye, Ryan Galvin, Armstrong, Bevis Mugabi, and Elliot Embleton came into the starting line-up, with Charlie Wyke returning to the bench for the first time after a lengthy injury layoff.
Regan Linney showed his intent, powering down the left flank and delivering an inviting cross, but it was too strong for Ajiboye to connect with.
The Blues led in the 26th minute through Ajiboye after Josh Williams had fired a ball forward, which Morgan Feeney flicked on to the United winger on the edge of the box to shoot into the bottom left corner.
United had a second goal in the 31st minute when Ajiboye collected the ball on the right wing before driving to the byline, finding Armstrong to divert the ball past Luke Hutchinson in the Robins goal.
An own goal from Dan Sassi gave the Blues a 3-0 lead after 34 minutes when Embleton’s corner ricocheted off two Altrincham defenders, with the centre half having the final touch as it crept in at the near post.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 3-0 Altrincham
Ajiboye was proving an effective outlet on the right for the Blues, and he found himself in on goal in the 58th minute, but Hutchinson was out quickly to block his chip attempt.
Neil Gibson’s side pulled a goal back in the 69th when Knowles rose highest to nod Tyler Golden’s sumptuous cross past Gabe Breeze.
Encouraged by his strike, Knowles drove through midfield minutes later before dragging a shot just wide.
After some great work from Ajiboye to retain possession and travel upfield, he set up Linney, who attempted to curl an effort into the top corner, but the shot drifted wide.
Georgie Kelly set Linney away on the left with an outside-of-the-boot pass in the 87th minute, but his effort was blocked as the Blues closed out the victory
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 3-1 Altrincham
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Feeney, Ajiboye (Kelly 80), Linney (Harper 90), Galvin, Embleton (Wearne 72), Gilliead, Williams (Ellis 72), Mugabi, Armstrong (Wyke 90), Macadam
Unused subs: Mair, Hayden
Altrincham: Hutchinson, Cooper, Crankshaw, Marriott (Kirk 86), Khan (Golden 46), Knowles (Weaver 86), Kosylo (Reddin 52), Crawford, Humbles (Forde 86), Jones, Sassi
Unused subs: Fallon, Bailey
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Ajiboye 26) (Armstrong 31) (Sassi own goal 34)
Altrincham: (Knowles 69)
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: (Williams 49) (Galvin 82)
Altrincham: (Kosylo 25) (Golden 53)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Altrincham: N/A
Officials:
Referee - Scott Oldham
Assistant Referee 1 - Jack Nield
Assistant Referee 2 - Neil Evans
Fourth Official - Ben Wyatt
Attendance:
7010 (284)
