Carlisle City are still striving for a top five finish in Northern League Division One after a crucial 2-1 home win over Guisborough Town.
They are now level on points with sixth-placed Guisborough, five points off the play-offs but have played more games than anyone else.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “We only have four games left and can only see where we end up if we can keep on winning. It’s out of our hands but already we are more than 20 points better off than last season and that shows how far we’ve progressed in only our second season.
“I thought we were comfortable for a long time against Guisborough even though they are a big and physical side.
“We were the better side for probably the first half an hour but it was still goalless at half time so we just changed things a little bit.”
There was instant success for six minutes into the second half Jordan Irving seized onto a poor clearance and a clever cross provided Jordan Palmer with a simple finish at the far post.
But City were shocked on 67 minutes when James Frazer scored from a corner, an area of the game where the Carlisle side pride themselves on being consistently secure.
It was the introduction of Keighran Kerr that proved an inspired move as with his first touch he cut in and fired an accurate shot beyond the keeper into the far corner.
The visitors applied strong pressure but couldn’t find a way through a resolute home defence.
“It sets-up a good derby game at Penrith on Monday and we will take it from there,” said Nichols.
City finish off at home to struggling Northallerton; away to fifth placed West Auckland and their final game is at home to likely champions Bishop Auckland.
