Carlisle 1 - 0 Hartlepool United FC: Hallam Hope goal earns Carlisle win

Posted Wednesday, April 06, 2016 by PA

Hallam Hope's second half goal moved Carlisle to within a point of the Sky Bet League Two play-off places as they edged out Hartlepool 1-0 to end manager Craig Hignett's seven game unbeaten run.

Hope's fifth goal of his loan spell from Bury was enough to win a tight contest although Jake Carroll almost grabbed a leveller for Hartlepool in added time.

Pools nearly caught Carlisle cold with just 44 seconds on the clock when Luke James sent an angled shot across the face of goal.

Mark Gillespie in the Carlisle goal could only watch as the ball skidded a fraction wide of his right hand post.

Carlisle were again almost undone at the back in the 23rd minute when Billy Paynter had a chance to the right of goal.

Gillespie moved smartly to block the former Carlisle striker's shot with his legs.

Carlisle's leading scorer Jabo Ibehre should have put them ahead straight after the restart.

But his close range downward header from Alex Gilliead's cross was clawed away by Trevor Carson.

Hope, a second half substitute, broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, sweeping the ball home with the help of a deflection from just inside the box after Macaulay Gillesphey's long ball had split the defence open.

Hartlepool had a big penalty shout turned down when Gillesphey appeared to control a cross from James with his upper arm and Pools pressed Carlisle back as they continued to search for an equaliser.

Lewis Hawkins was close with a 30-yard dipping shot which was just too high.