Carlisle City revived their play-off challenge with a crucial 1-0 win at Tow Low.
It was the second single goal victory of the season over the Lawyers and means City are five points off the play-offs with five games in hand.
But it means a hectic end to the Northern League Division Two season and they also have to fit in the County Cup final against Wetheriggs.
They knew that a positive result was needed after three poor league displays and this would not be easy against fellow play-off contenders on a notoriously sloping pitch.
The Tow Law side included former City player Archie Gardiner in midfield.
City played down the slope in the first half and could have taken a very early lead as Palmer did well to pull the ball back and Atkinson’s shot was blocked at point-blank range.
Simpson won the first corner on five minutes and Palmer’s cross was headed just over by Atkinson.
The home side then responded with a shot from Knowles that flew narrowly over the bar.
There was controversy on nine minutes as Bowman appeared to win the ball cleanly in a tackle but the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Justice was perhaps done when Townsley dived low to his left to keep out Smith’s shot from the spot.
City then went back on the attack with Kelly shooting over from 25 yards and Atkinson seeing his shot saved by Graham.
The home keeper then dashed outside his area to block a run from Kerr. Graham was then lucky to see his clearance charged down by Palmer and spin just over the bar
Increasingly, Tow Law were gaining more possession but choosing to shoot from distance and without much accuracy.
In the 40th minute, City were ahead as Kerr broke well down the right and struck his cross with some force and Graham merely managed to push the
City were probably now expecting to come under severe pressure, playing uphill, and Tow Law won an early corner off Hartley. This was safely cleared before Townsley saved a free-kick from McAloon.
As the pressure built, Tow Law won two quick corners in the 55th minute and the second of these saw the home side come very close. McAloon’s goal-bound shot was saved by the feet of Townsley with the rebound fired against the far post.
At the other end, the post was also struck as Simpson was very unlucky to see his curled effort strike the frame of the goal in the 62nd minute.
City attacks were rare in this half but a corner in the 65th minute was cleared out to Simpson who then shot wide.
Tow Law were dominating possession but being repelled comfortably by a resilient City outfit.
Marley fired wide on 72 minutes and then City should have sealed the game following an electrifying burst by Kerr, who was fouled, with the loose ball rolling to Atkinson but he hesitated and the chance was gone.
Tow Law pressed again and Lake’s cross was headed wide by Marley from 10 yards.
The referee signalled five extra minutes to be played but City remained resolute.
