Carlisle improved their automatic promotion chances with a 2-0 home victory over FA Cup quarter-finalists Grimsby Town.
The Mariners had made seven changes from the side which shocked Southampton in Wednesday’s Cup-tie – and it eventually showed.
Although they coped initially and looked more than a match for slow-starting Carlisle, once the home side had grabbed the lead they took control of the contest.
Tomas Holy was the first keeper brought into action when he produced a splendid save to deny George Lloyd and then Khan was just wide with a clever, curled strike.
But the game changed on 36 minutes when Alex Hunt was robbed in possession and midfielder Alfie McCalmont, on loan from Leeds, curled in a lovely effort for his second goal in three games.
A second goal arrived eight minutes later for Paul Simpson’s side, and was another lovely strike – this time from Jordan Gibson whose first touch and well-placed low drive gave former Carlisle keeper Max Crocombe no chance.
Grimsby had taken 4,300 fans to Southampton for the FA Cup tie and they had 428 inside Brunton Park. They were to be denied a consolation when Lloyd struck a post with his 77th minute header.
