Carlisle City bounced back to winning form with a deserved 3-1 home win over an in-form Whickham side.
The visitors had been on a good run of form with only one defeat in seven games but they posed few problems to City.
Manager Jim Nichols had been looking for a positive response after his side had lost their hold on the County Cup with a mid-week defeat.
He said: “We had strong words for one another after that because that’s now what we are about.
“They responded to a man and it was really a strong, committed performance in what were difficult playing conditions.
“It’s been tough over the last three months with injuries meaning we haven’t been able to put out a consistent side.
“We are getting lads back now and this was more like us. We haven’t had the rub of the green and our performances of late haven’t got the rewards some of them deserved but this one certainly did.
“Once Jordan Palmer got us back in front we dominated and their keeper made a couple of excellent saves. Then Connor Shields came on as a sub and scored the third to clinch it.
“We have a tough one on Saturday at home to Bishop Auckland who are flying and chasing the title.
“We won 1-0 there early in the season and if we play like we did on Saturday we will be in with a chance again showing the same effort and endeavour.”
Callum Birdsall put City ahead after 25 minutes but very early in the second-half Jamie Dunn levelled for Whickham.
Three minutes later Palmer restored the City lead with a good finish and in the last minute Shields notched the third.
