County Cup winners Carlisle City have given themselves a chance of a superb double on the last day of the season.
After a 4-0 win at Esh Winning last night City are two points behind long-time leaders Heaton Stannington in the race for the Northern League Division Two title.
If Stannington lose or draw their final game at Easington Colliery, City will take the crown if they beat Ryton and Crawcrook Albion at Gillford Park.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “It didn’t look possible a few weeks ago because of the number of games we had to make up.
“But the way the players have responded has been terrific and our game management in all of them has been top class.
“Esh Winning asked a few problems going forward but they didn’t really create anything and when we got our third goal that virtually wrapped up the game.”
It took 25 minutes before City went ahead as Atkinson’s neat header found Palmer who saw his shot blocked but Grandison was on hand to poke the ball in from eight yards.
City added an excellent second goal on 41 minutes as they worked the ball well through midfield before the ball reached Atkinson, who cleverly lifted his shot over the diving Hannant.
Just before the break it was 3-0 as Atkinson headed his tenth goal in the last five games, converting a fine cross from Holt. It was his 20th of the season.
Manager Nichols sensibly rang the changes in the second-half with City in charge and they didn’t score their fourth goal until the 84th minute when Holt unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards giving the home keeper no chance.
The home side finished with 10 men when substitute Jones was sent off for a second yellow card in the 88th minute, after a lunging challenge on Atkinson.
It really should have been 5-0 late on as Palmer’s effort was blocked on the home line, and Holt saw his shot saved by Hannant, before the City midfielder then fired well wide.
