Carlisle City returned to winning ways with a very good 2-1 win at Birtley Town.
Jim Nichols’ men had been on a poor run of results while Birtley had climbed past them into the play-off positions.
Nichols said: “We were at it from the start and their keeper made a very good save early on while Jordan Palmer just couldn’t get enough on a second chance for us.
“It was rather against the run of play when they took the lead. A ball was headed against the back of Jordan Holt’s head and fell into space for them to go on and score.
“At half-time we were pleased and told the lads they were very much in the game and so it proved.
“Dan Hill levelled and then scored a cracking winner cutting in and firing a left foot shot beyond the keeper and in off the post.
“To be honest I don’t think we were any serious trouble after that although our keeper Jacob Barry made one superb save near the end to keep us in front.”
Matthew Ward had given Birtley the lead on 39 minutes but goals from Hill in the 55th and 66th minutes took the points back to Carlisle.
City are now ninth in the table but level on points with three teams ahead of them in the table. Birtley are in the final play-off berth, two points better off and they visit City on Tuesday night in a crucial game.
