Match ends, Carlisle United 2, Salford City 1.
CarlisleCarlisle United2SalfordSalford City1
Carlisle propelled themselves into the League Two play-off places with a home win against Salford as fans returned to Brunton Park.
The 2,000 strong Carlisle fans roared on Chris Beech's side and they were on their feet as goals from Lewis Alessandra and Rhys Bennett did the damage.
Salford shot-stopper Vaclav Hladky produced a good save to keep Bennett out early on and Luke Burgess came close to a third goal in as many games for the visitors as his snapshot flew wide.
But Alessandra fired the hosts in front with a fine left-footed strike in the 34th minute.
Richie Wellens' Ammies came close to an equaliser as Ash Hunter's effort was kept out by Paul Farman.
The lead was doubled in the 56th minute as Bennett lost his marker to head home Callum Guy's free-kick.
Bennett almost doubled his tally nine minutes later as his effort was cleared off the line by Ibou Touray.
Alessandra volleyed over late on as he searched for a fifth goal of the season.
Di'Shon Bernard gave Salford late hope, netting his first goal for the club with a stoppage-time header.
Carlisle boss Chris Beech:
"When you have the fans back you want it to go well and the boys have put in the work to make sure that happened.
"It was just fantastic to hear them cheer for every tackle and you could see that it gave the lads an extra yard when they needed it.
"The fact that we've been able to share big moments with them is what this game is all about. The roar when the goals went in, you'd think there were 20,000 people here.
"We've missed this and, like I say, to be able to reward those people who have waited so long to back their team is the most special thing about it."
Match report supplied by PA Media
Line-ups
Carlisle
Formation 4-3-3
- 21Farman
- 2TannerBooked at 66mins
- 6Hayden
- 32Bennett
- 3Anderton
- 12MellishBooked at 36mins
- 4Devine
- 8GuyBooked at 2minsSubstituted forFurmanat 75'minutes
- 9AlessandraSubstituted forRileyat 90+2'minutes
- 14KayodeBooked at 45mins
- 11PatrickSubstituted forToureat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Norman
- 5Hunt
- 7Riley
- 10Reilly
- 18Dixon
- 19Furman
- 20Toure
Salford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Hladky
- 6Clarke
- 5Eastham
- 12BernardBooked at 88mins
- 3TourayBooked at 64mins
- 16TurnbullSubstituted forDennyat 60'minutes
- 4Lowe
- 15Burgess
- 11Carvalho Andrade
- 10HunterSubstituted forDieseruvweat 73'minutes
- 40HendersonSubstituted forArmstrongat 22'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Armstrong
- 14Boyd
- 18Threlkeld
- 20Dieseruvwe
- 24Smith
- 28Denny
- 31Evans
- Referee:
- Graham Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 2,000
Match Stats
Home TeamCarlisleAway TeamSalford
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Carlisle United 2, Salford City 1.
Post update
Tom Clarke (Salford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Dangerous play by Joe Riley (Carlisle United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Gime Toure (Carlisle United) right footed shot from more than 40 yards on the right wing is close, but misses to the left following a fast break.
Post update
Corner, Salford City. Conceded by Rhys Bennett.
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Corner, Salford City. Conceded by Aaron Hayden.
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Attempt blocked. Jason Lowe (Salford City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked. Assisted by Ibou Touray.
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Joe Riley replaces Lewis Alessandra.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bruno Andrade (Salford City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Luke Armstrong.
Goal!
Goal! Carlisle United 2, Salford City 1. Di'Shon Bernard (Salford City) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ibou Touray with a cross.
Post update
Bruno Andrade (Salford City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by George Tanner (Carlisle United).
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Attempt saved. Gime Toure (Carlisle United) header from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Dean Furman.
Booking
Di'Shon Bernard (Salford City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Di'Shon Bernard (Salford City).
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Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Gime Toure replaces Omari Patrick.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bruno Andrade (Salford City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Luke Burgess.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Alessandra (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.
