HARTLEPOOL United set a new club record with victory at Carlisle.

 

Making it seven games without defeat at the start of the season means Pools write a new chapter in the club history.

Goals in the first half from Gary Liddle and Adam Boyd put them ahead at the break, and some stern second half defending saw them home.

Yet they could have been trailing well before Liddle's opener on 20 minutes.

Carlisle missed three openings in front og goal, with Francois Zoko the main culprit.

But Pools made them pay as Liddle lashed in his second goal in as many games.

Ritchie Humphreys – on his 600th career appearance – played the ball to Antony Sweeney. He crossed and Nobby Solano's volley was knocked off the line for Liddle to race onto and smash a low 20 drive into the bottom corner.

Humphreys cleared a Lubo Michalik header off the line, before Boyd got his fourth goal in four away games this season.

After Carlisle failed to clear, the striker got the ball under control, picked his spot and lobbed in from 20 yards.

Skipper Sam Collins was introduced at half-time and he gave a towering performance at the heart of the back four.

Carlisle were given a lifeline on 75 minutes. Paul Murray went to ground in the area to concede a spot kick dispatched by Rory Loy.

But despite some pressure and frantic defending, Pools won their third successive game to stay sixth in League One.