Carlisle United retained their place at the top of the Enterprise National League table after a 2-1 win against Southend United at Roots Hall.
Chris Conn-Clarke and Regan Linney gave Carlisle the advantage within 30 minutes before Sam Austin pulled one back for the Shrimpers, but they failed to breach a determined Blues defence as they held on for the three points.
Mark Hughes made two changes from the Blues’ 2-0 win over FC Halifax Town during midweek, with Josh Williams and Aaron Hayden coming in for Archie Davies and Terell Thomas.
Carlisle started tenaciously, firing into tackles before Conn-Clarke burst through the midfield and won a free-kick, which he fired straight at Nick Hayes.
It was the Northern-Irishman who sent the Blues into the lead in the 19th minute when Josh Williams and Georgie Kelly combined to tee up the attacking midfielder, seeing him unleash a powerful shot into the bottom left corner.
Conn-Clarke became the provider in the 29th minute, flying through the centre of midfield and reversing a sublime pass to find Linney charging down the left and slotted past Hayes with ease.
Kevin Maher’s side were quick to respond with Nathan Ralph finding Austin from the left, who side-footed the ball past Gabe Breeze.
Oli Coker was inches away from pulling the game level when his free-kick from the edge of the box sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The hosts began to grow in confidence, with Cav Miley finding space to the left of the Carlisle penalty area, but his low shot was pushed away by Breeze.
Coker was next to try his luck with a powerful effort from range, which flew towards the bottom right corner, only for Breeze to tip the ball wide at full stretch.
Harvey Macadam had to be alive to the danger to head over his own crossbar, preventing a certain goal at the back post.
Carlisle came close to extending their lead on the brink of half-time with Davies racing down the right flank and finding Conn-Clarke, who gilded past the Shrimpers’ defence but failed to beat Hayes’ outstretched legs.
HALF-TIME: Southend United 1–2 Carlisle United
Josh Walker nearly levelled the game just after the break when he snuck between two Carlisle defenders and poked the ball at Breeze, who diverted the effort wide.
A mazy run from Davies saw him make his way into the Shrimpers’ penalty area and found Conn-Clarke, whose flick was deflected past the right upright.
Walker should have put the host’s level after Ralph’s header at the back post from a deep free-kick delivery found him free in the penalty area, only to head straight at Breeze before Gus Scott-Morris flashed a header over the bar.
Scott-Morris came even closer in the 65th minute when his header was cleared off the line by Morgan Feeney.
Conn-Clarke sent Williams through on goal with a delicious pass, but he could only fire high and wide.
Hayes had to be alive to match Linney twice as he broke twice on the counter and fired shots at the Shrimpers’ goal.
Breeze made a sharp save in injury time to push a header from a free-kick over the bar as the Blues closed out a vital win on the road.
FULL-TIME: Southend United 1-2 Carlisle United
Teams:
Southend United: Hayes, Scott-Morris, Ralph, Goodliffe, Dallas, Austin (Appiah-Forson 63), Walker (Hopper 78), Taylor, Miley, Coker (Parillon 78), Boyes (Bridge 78)
Not used: Gubbins, Morton, Adeng-Ndi
Carlisle United: Breeze, Harper, Hayden, Feeney, Williams, Gilliead, Macadam, Conn-Clarke (Armstrong 90+3), Luamba (Davies 26) (Ellis 59), Linney (Grant 90+3), Kelly
Not used: Ajiboye, Whelan, Lewis
Goals:
Southend United – (31 Austin)
Carlisle United – (Conn-Clarke 19) (Linney 29)
Yellow cards:
Southend United– (33 Dallas)
Carlisle United – (Williams 36) (Davies 45+7) (Ellis 90+4)
Red cards:
Southend United– N/A
Carlisle United – N/A
Match officials:
Referee – Michael Barlow
Assistant Referee 1 – James Hurst
Assistant Referee 2 – Robert Evans
Fourth Official – Dan Blades
Attendance:
8,847 (584 away)
