Carlisle United produced their best performance under manager Keith Millen to deservedly beat Bradford City 2-0 at Brunton Park.
Two fine goals from Jordan Gibson and the returning Omari Patrick sealed the win for an impressive United side who were in control for long periods.
Tyrese Omotoye, who has joined the Blues from Norwich on loan until the end of the season, was the star of the show with a stirring debut.
He was the only one of Millen’s three new recruits to make the starting line-up although Patrick got on for the last 15 minutes and Joel Senior was un unused substitute.
It hadn’t opened promisingly for the hosts, however, as City almost scored in the first 30 seconds. United were slow to cover the first attack and when the pull was pulled back invitingly for Oscar Threlkeld his strong shot from just inside the area whistled just over.
Gradually, though, United started to find their feet – and their passing rhythm with Callum Guy working particularly hard in the middle of the field.
From a Jack Armer cross the ball fell kindly fore Kelvin Mellor but his shot was charged down by a City defender.
City had not been dangerous after that initial effort but on 15 minutes went close. A long throw was not fully cleared and Yann Songo’o probably should have done better than send a fierce strike into the side netting.
Omotoye caught the eye with his pace and trickery on the ball and when he linked with Jordan Gibson the finish from the Sligo Rovers recruit wasn’t far away.
Jon Mellish, worked hard as always, and after dispossessing a City player in midfield he bore down on goal but his finish was weak.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead on 38 minutes when a cross from Callum Cooke was bundled in by Songo’o but it was immediately ruled out because of a foul on Mark Howard.
Just when it looked as though the first-half would end goal-less it was Carlisle who gained the breakthrough.
Guy and Armer combined to play in Gibson and this time his finish was accurate, spinning cleverly before thumping a delicious shot into the top corner beyond keeper Sam Hornby.
United were on the front foot as soon as play resumed after the break and Mellish wasn’t far away with a low shot which appeared to have wrong-footed Hornby.
Gibson might have had a second when he got into the box to reach a Brennan Dickenson cross but his header was easily held by Hornby.
It had become a confident performance by Carlisle at that stage with young Omotoye thoroughly enjoying himself and causing all sorts of problems for the City defence.
City were rarely in the game as an attacking force and when they did manage to break through Howard did well, first with a clearing punch and then with a timely catch.
There was a standing ovation for Omotoye when he was replaced by Patrick on 75 minutes and no quibbles when he was later named man of the match.
It was also a dream return for Patrick who capped the day off with a well taken goal three minutes from the end. He took a high pass midway inside the Bradford half, drove into the area and as Hornby started to advance he prodded it past him for the second.
Having tightened up United as a defensive unit Millen has clearly used the transfer window to add some pace and threat at the other end of the field.
Six points clear of the drop zone it would now appear that with more performances like this, relegation fears will soon be eliminated.