Carlisle United won their crucial six-pointer at Scunthorpe in a fine start to 2022.
A goal from centre-back Rod McDonald five minutes before half-time was enough to give United the points.
Although Scunthorpe were possibly the better side in the first-half, Carlisle’s resilience and spirit was a deciding factor and carried them through to a deserved victory.
There had been an early chance for United when Armer’s long run down the left ended with a good cross. Teenager Sam Fishburn got on the end of it but his glancing header just flew wide.
Scunthorpe had early opportunities, too, but Myles Hippolyte was off target with a shot from 20 yards and when Harry Bunn reached a ball into the box his header was on target but McDonald made a brilliant block to turn it over the bar.
McDonald was again involved when Tom Pugh put another good ball into the mix and ex-Carlisle striker Ryan Loft saw his close-range effort turned behind by the Carlisle centre-back.
From the corner Hippolyte tried his luck and the shot wasn’t far wide of the target.
Mark Howard, who played for Scunthorpe last season, had to be alert and out quickly when Bunn got clear and he was able to block his effort.
It was back and forth with McDonald striking the top of the bar with a header and then Loft, clear at the other end, was too slow in taking the shot and Morgan Feeney got back to make the saving tackle.
Then on 40 minutes came the break-through goal for McDonald who had been impressive throughout. It was his first goal for the club and so important.
There was a nasty moment for Carlisle at the start of the second-half when a short corner from Hippolyte could have caused problems. Howard had to be alert to block an awkward deflection and Jon Mellish completed the clearance.
Fishburn was floored in the box but seconds beforehand he had been flagged for off-side so the fans shouts for a penalty went unanswered.
Soon after it was Scunthorpe’s fans who were baying for a penalty when Hayden Hackney went down in the area, but again there was no award.
The corner count was high and Howard did well to hold onto a shot from substitute Harry Lewis through a crowded goalmouth.
Jordan Gibson had a chance for Carlisle’s second on 82 minutes after a poor clearance but his shot was easily saved by home keeper Rory Watson.
Then Fishburn reached a cross from Brennan Dickinson but his header was wide.
In the second minute of time added Scunthorpe had a free kick chance from 25 yards but although Hackney cleared the wall his drive was rising all the way and cleared the bar.
