
Carlisle United picked up three vital points at Stevenage with a deserved 2-0 win to move a place further up the table.
The Cumbrians are now fourth bottom, three points clear of the drop zone and ahead of Stevenage on goal difference.
It was a satisfying end to a stressful week for manager Keith Millen in which is side has had two away games, plenty of travelling and several injury concerns.
There was an early sign of things to come when United could have scored in the second minute.
A cross from Jordan Gibson found Brennan Dickenson beyond the far post but after taking a touch he hammered the ball into the side netting.
Good pressure from Morgan Feeney prevented Jamie Norris from getting in a placed header when Stevenage responded and the effort went over the bar.
The hosts weren’t far away with a free kick just outside the area which was struck into the wall and with a second chance from the rebound Jake Reeves’ shot was deflected over the bar.
Stevenage had made the brighter start after their early scare and when the Blues were opened-up at a free-kick a smart turn and shot by Jake Taylor had to be dealt with acrobatically by Mark Howard.
It was virtually all Stevenage at this stage and Carlisle needed some solid defensive work to limit their opportunities.
They went close just after the half hour when Ben Coker headed across an inviting goal and Elliott List just failed to turn it home.
Howard was needed again when List hit a strong shot which took a deflection and the keeper recovered superbly to turn it over the bar.
But largely against the run of play it was Carlisle who took the lead on 43 minutes. A lovely free kick from Callum Guy saw Jon Mellish power in a great header which Joseph Anang did well to turn onto the bar. It was Mellish who was following-up to score a precious opener.
Anang had to make another good save at the start of the second half when Sam Fishburn whipped in a low shot.
There were loud Stevenage shouts for a penalty on 58 minutes with one of those close calls for a referee – who got to the ball first? List went in as Howard seemed to reach the ball to save and although the home player went down referee Declan Bourne waved play on correctly.
At the other end, though, United were awarded a stonewall penalty on 62 minutes when Gibson skipped past defenders on a jinking run into the box. Luke Prosser was careless in his challenge and there was no doubt that Bourne would point to the spot.
This was a big moment and Gibson did not disappoint the travelling band of 220 fans by drilling the spot kick into the bottom corner.
Substitute Jamie Reid could have pulled one back from close range, but his shot lacked power and was easily held by Howard.
The longer the game went on, though, the more comfortable United looked and how much Stevenage looked what they are – a struggling side.
In the end it was an excellent three points for Carlisle from a solid display, based on defensive organisation – but it’s still tight down the bottom with a busy period coming up.