Carlisle City moved into the top five of Northern League Division One with a confident 3-1 home win over Newcastle Benfield.
It sets up a big game on Tuesday night at Gillford Park when they host Whitley Bay, who are two places and three points behind them.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “It was a really decent performance because we had two injured, two who were ill and another who was away.
“They had the wind behind them in the first half and we dealt really will with it and they didn’t have a clear-cut chance.
“We got the lead just before half-time when Callum Birdsall did really well to get the ball into the box and Rob McCartney finished with a good header.
“Jack Dickinson headed us 2-0 up early in the second-half and although they immediately pulled one back we got a penalty to virtually wrap up the points.
“Benfield have some experienced players and have one or two who cause a threat and we have found them difficult in the past.
“So to get the three points and move to fifth in the table was a nice way to finish the day.
“We will pat ourselves on the back and then get ready for a big game on Tuesday.
“The thing is we have matches in hand of teams around us and certainly gives us plenty to play for.”
McCartney and Atkinson had given City the 2-0 lead before Jay Errington pulled one back for Benfield. A McCartney penalty on 75 minutes completed the scoring.
