It was a depleted Stan that travelled to Carlisle for a massive 6 pointer with Hall, Ray, Stoddart, Bailey, Charmey, Burns and Wright all missing for one reason or another. The reshuffled line up that included Richie Hoggins as a makeshift Centre Half was dealt a further blow when Michael Baxter dropped out of the starting eleven with blisters and was replaced by Joe Kerridge. The hosts had won their previous 5 league games and sat one place higher than us in the table in 6th place.

The pitch was heavy but the rain that had been forecast stayed away as the game got underway and the Stan were straight on the front foot with Kirkup bringing down Fiedler and Kerridge's free kick whistling wide in the first minute. The Stan continued to attack with Paterson and Wilson prominent but there was a scare at the other end when a header looped onto the roof of the net. The Stan were soon back on the attack and good work from Simpson down the right got Wilson into a shooting position and his curling effort was brilliantly tipped away by Townsley in the City goal.

Atkinson was shown the first yellow card of the game for a cynical foul and the Ref angered the Stan by not playing an advantage as Mason broke clear but the anger turned to cheers within a minute as Fiedler broke into box and avoided two challenges before shooting past Townsley to open the scoring. It looked for a minute that we might have an 'Eric Dier' as Kirkup remonstrated with a City fan who was unhappy with the defending leading to the goal but common sense prevailed.

On 24 minutes the impressive Wilson pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Baxter who was less than 100% fit himself, fit or not it made no difference as he had an immediate impact when a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box and he had time and space to curl a fine finish into the top corner to put the Stan two up inside 26 minutes. The Stan were controlling things now and Baxter teed up Kerridge but he shot high and wide from a tight angle before Paterson brought another save out of Townsley.

The hosts finally got a sniff on 36 minutes when McCartney broke clear but his scuffed finish was straight at Ball. Carlisle were then reduced to 10 men when Atkinson, who had already been cautioned clattered into Middleton and was shown a second yellow on 45 minutes and the ill discipline continued in stoppage time when Simpson was sin binned for throwing the ball at the Referee.

HT: Carlisle City 0 - 2 Stan

The second period started with the hosts down to 9 men for the opening 9 minutes and during this time the Stan moved the ball around very well and forced a succession of corners but the closest they came to increasing the lead was when Simpson and Paterson combined and the cross was hacked clear from inside the 6 yard box.

A minute after the sin bin was over the Stan should have put the game to bed when Baxter broke free but hit the advancing Townsley, the rebound fell for Paterson but the overworked keeper brilliantly saved his effort and a third chance for Kerridge was deflected wide at the back post.

Kerridge was involved again when a long ball out of defence released him but his cross was too deep for Fiedler. Baxter then sent Paterson away but Townsley again denied him with a save at his near post but from the corner Kerridge brought the house down with a stunning finsh from 25 yards. There didn't seem to be any danger when the corner was cleared to him but he swivelled through 90 degrees and thumped the sweetest of left foot volley's past the bemused Townsley to give the Stan a three goal advantage.

Baxter then crossed low into the box and although Townsley fumbled he recovered before Paterson could pounce, you could hardly deny the keeper his good fortune as he was pretty much playing us on his own. Baxter finally succumbed to injury and was replaced by Morgan Paterson on 74 minutes and the youngster had a great chance to increase the lead 10 minutes later when he broke clear but a bobble slowed him down and the chance ended with Kerridge being crowded out.

Paterson's impressive cameo continued and he flashed a volley across the face of goal as the game entered stoppage time but there would be no further adding to the scoring.

FT: Carlisle City 0 - 3 Stan

A fantastic display from the Stan that had seen them dominate their promotion rivals from the first minute til the last with the only complaint being that they hadn't converted more of the numerous chances they had created. Ball was a virtual spectator as his back four dominated City's attack whilst Imray and Mason ran the show in the middle and Fiedler, Wilson, Baxter, Kerridge and the Patersons were always a threat upfront.

The travelling Stan Army, which made up more than a quarter of the crowd, cheered the lads off at the end before returning to the Railway Club to celebrate the win that lifted them into 5th place in the table. With three home games in a week coming up it gives us the chance to consolidate that position starting with Durham City on Wednesday 11th March.

Team (4-5-1): Ball; Simpson, Hoggins, Middleton, Sayer; Mason, Imray, R Paterson, Kerridge, Wilson (Baxter 24 Min, M Paterson 74 Min);Fiedler

Subs (Not Used): Deagle.

Goals: Fiedler 19, Baxter 26, Kerridge 64

Att: 78

Simon Lansley

Photos coming soon