After a very disappointing Sunday outing to Moss Rose last weekend Paul Simpson went for a more forward thinking line up for the visit of a Chester City side that had suffered an alarming dip in form in recent months.

Paul Arnison returned from his one match suspension, replacing the recently departed Dave Beharall, with Adam Murray and Derek Holmes both earning a recall to the starting eleven.

New arrival Mark Rivers had to sit this one out as he works his way towards full match fitness and Adam Bradley kept his place on the bench, despite the return from Gigg Lane of keeper Tony Williams.

The game started with Carlisle signalling their intent right from the kick off as Billy fed the ball to Bridges with a cheeky pass. The United striker raced forwards and was unlucky to see his shot fly wide of the goal.

Less than 60 seconds later Holmes was fouled 26 yards from goal, in a good position for the home side. Peter Murphy took responsibility and aimed for the top corner, missing by just a few inches.

The Cumbrians were definitely up for it, keeping Chester pegged back, and Aranalde spotted Holmes in space in the 5th minute. Good control enabled him to find a short pass inside to Bridges, who outfoxed the defence before drilling a low shot in. A strong block came out to Billy who tried to to shoot, but Arnison was able to latch on to the pieces 18 yards out. His shot had power, but it grazed the outside of the upright on its way in to the crowd behind the goal.

Karl Hawley had a gilt edged opportunity in the 6th minute following some excellent work in midfield from Peter Murphy. Sitting on the shoulder of McNiven, the Carlisle striker kept himself onside with his run and was able to race one on one with the keeper. Drawing him nicely it looked to be 1-0 as Hawley set himself, but he dragged the shot wide with plenty of the target to aim at.

A first attack of the afternoon for the visitors came to nothing in the 8th minute when Lowe jinked his way in to a crossing position, only to see Westwood scoop it up as Murphy put himself in the way.

Another great moment for United came in the 9th minute when Holmes went up for an Aranalde cross. A firm downwards header eventually came to Murray and he kept his head over the ball as he connected with a screamer. The slightest of deflections was enough to divert the ball over the bar for a corner.

Derek Holmes was next to go close as everyone stayed in the box from the cleared corner. Gray headed it back in to the mix as Hawley swivelled and turned it back towards the danger area. Holmes it was who made it his own, but the defenders on the line were able to clear it.

Ben Davies caused problems for Westwood in the 13th minute with a stinging free kick that the keeper couldn't keep hold of. Holmes jumped in quickly to sweep it away for the corner as Asamoah threatened to pounce.

50th League Goal for United

The dominance of the opening spell was finally rewarded with a goal, created by the brilliance of Michael Bridges. His trickery opened an avenue for a cross that Derek Holmes was able to glance onwards towards Adam Murray. He controlled and turned quickly, angling his shot beyond Gillet, bringing a last ditch attempt at a saving dive at the back post. The Assistant Referee wasted no time in raising his flag to signal a goal, despite the best efforts of the clearance, and Murray was able to claim his first League goal of the season.

It may only have been his first, but it was to be a milestone for a Carlisle United team that had just registered it's 50th Coca Cola League Two goal of the campaign.

The same player almost registered the second goal of the afternoon in the 22nd minute when he raced on to the end product of more good work from Bridges. A first time effort curled away at just the wrong moment for Carlisle as it whipped past the angle of post and bar and harmlessly behind.

Michael Bridges spotted Gillet off his line in the 26th minute and almost surprised everyone with a long range lob that had the goalkeeper scrambling. It was a decent effort, but it dropped about 2 yards wide in the end.

The ex Bristol City man must have been wondering what he had to do to score when, in the 28th minute, the very impressive Derek Holmes won yet another header. His set up was perfect for Bridges and he volleyed early, sending his shot marginally wide.

The 31st minute brought the first real shot of any note for Chester when Asamoah latched on to a half cleared free kick. He laid it inside to Davies who took one look and shot, sending it high and nowhere near Westwood or his nets.

It was a better spell for the visitors and Lowe did well in the 34th minute when he stayed patient before sending his cross in. Asamoah got the header from 12 yards, but it was easy for the big Carlisle stopper.

Having started very, very brightly it was Chester who would have the better of the closing 15 minutes as they tried to pick a way through a stubborn United rearguard. Murphy and Gray were called on to keep the 18 yard box clear as confidence started to rise amongst the Deva boys, and Chris Billy was also in amongst the important defending.

The best way of easing such pressure is to go for the throat, and Karl Hawley will be disappointed that he didn't do better

Goal number 8 for Bridgey

with an edge of the box shot, following some direct play, in the 44th minute. The lead was to be doubled though when Michael Bridges scored his 8th of the season in the next attack with some utterly magnificent individual play. His first touch from a raking midfield ball took him away from the close attentions of his markers and in to the box. Steadying himself he was able to tuck an unstoppable left foot drive beyond Gillet and in to the bottom of the net to make it 2-0.

Half Time: United 2 - 0 Chester

It started in much the same way as the first half had done for United when Aranalde went on a raid in the 47th minute. His early cross was missed by two defenders allowing Hawley to do some shielding work. His blocked shot on the turn came to Bridges, but the follow up was always rising.

Keiren Westwood will be delighted with what happened in the 49th minute, even if the United crowd weren't, when Davies won a rather soft penalty after clashing with Murphy in a run of the mill challenge. Branch put the ball on the spot and gave it plenty of boot, only to see Carlisle's keeper spread himself and stop the kick with his foot. Murphy, making amends for the tackle, raced in to crash the clearance away.

In what was an action packed game full of incident Chris Lumsdon found a superb delivery from a free kick in the 52nd minute. Bridges moved intelligently, getting a slight diversion on the ball, and sending it in to the midriff of Gillet. The keeper was able to smother it as he came under pressure from 3 blue shirts.

The first of four fairly clear penalty shouts was turned down in the 53rd minute when Holmes went up with McNiven in the box. Being both pulled and climbed on, that should have been enough to bring the whistle, but the handball that took it away from the head of the big striker should definitely have done the job. Mr Lewis waved the appeals away as Aranalde sent it behind for a goal kick.

Bridges sent a volley over the bar as he ran on to an Arnison cross and he was left having a polite chat with the Assistant on the near side when he controlled a looping ball before gently lobbing it back towards the six yard box. The defender raised his hand to see the ball behind and nothing was given, yet again.

Penalty hero

In the 57th minute probably the clearest shout so far was ignored by the Referee as Hawley found the ball at his feet with a shooting opportunity. A rash challenge from behind saw the Carlisle man tumble but, amazingly, Mr Lewis saw fit to say no to the claims.

Chester were playing penalty kick roulette and they were finally to lose out in the 58th minute when Aranalde skipped away from a challenge. Hawley showed him where he wanted it but he was tackled poorly as he moved just inside the area with the ball. None of the officials could deny this one, and Chris Lumsdon made no mistake as he rattled it beyond Gillet to make it 3-0.

The afternoon was to become even more enjoyable in the 64th minute when the forward trio combined to prise open the Chester back line. Bridges crossed it for Holmes to flick on and

19 for Karl

Karl Hawley found himself with just Gillet in between him and his 19th of the season. Having learned the lesson of the first half he picked his spot early, burying it in to the bottom left hand side of the goal, to the rapturous applause of the Blue Army.

Bridges caused havoc with another surging run in the 65th minute that concluded with a teasing cross that required desperate clearances from two of the Chester covering players. The visitors started to get tetchy, picking up two bookings in the space of 5 minutes as their discipline started to crumble, and Glenn Murray came on to join the fun with 13 minutes left on the clock, replacing Derek Holmes.

Glenn again

The introduction of the local lad saw him getting right in amongst the action as soon as he hit the pitch and he was inches away from converting a wicked Bridges cross after some wonderful skill from the constantly dangerous front man. Glenn Murray was to get his reward in the 82nd minute when he took the ball in to his stride and ghosted his way in to the box. Deceiving Gillet he stooped and curled the ball beyond him, leaving him with no chance of reaching the ball as the lead was extended to 5-0.

The crowd were able to show their appreciation for the individual efforts of Lumsdon and Bridges as they were substituted for Hackney and McGill with the dulcet Cumbrian chimes of 'we are top of the League' ringing in their ears.

How right that chant is, and after what has seemed like a never ending wait, but what a way to claim top spot! Apart from a spell of about 15 minutes in the first half where Chester saw a little bit more of the ball than Simpson will have been comfortable with, there was very little on show from the travelling side. In a game of massive performances, which is exactly what was needed after last week, Murphy, Bridges, Holmes and Adam Murray particularly stood out. Stirring stuff indeed from a team that is packed with character and passion. Top spot will bring its own pressures - but what a great position to be in.

Goals

United - A Murray (14), Bridges (45), Lumsdon (58 pen), Hawley (64), G Murray (82)

Bookings

Chester - Davies (69), Regan (74)

Teams

United - Westwood, Arnison, Gray, Murphy, A Murray, Billy, Lumsdon (McGill 84), Aranalde, Holmes (G Murray 77), Hawley, Bridges (Hackney 84) . Not Used - Bradley, Livesey.

Chester - Gillet, McNiven, Regan, Roberts (Robertson 46), Horwood, Lowe, Vaughan, Drummond, Davies, Branch (Blundell 80), Asamoah (Richardson 63). Not Used - Corden, Dimech.

Travelling fans - 203