Match ends, Carlisle United 2, Macclesfield Town 1.
Jerry Yates struck late on as play-off chasing Carlisle secured a fourth consecutive win with a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Macclesfield.
After Scott Wilson had given Town an early lead with his third goal in two games, Hallam Hope hit back for the home side before the break.
The visitors looked set for a draw until Yates, on loan from Rotherham, popped up from close range to register his fifth goal in the last four matches.
The win moved Carlisle up to eighth in the League Two table, one point off the play-offs.
The Silkmen had the Carlisle defence rocking as they made a lively start, taking a second-minute lead through a fine individual effort by Wilson.
His turn just inside the area created space for a shot which was expertly curled past Adam Collin in the Carlisle goal.
After scoring 10 goals in their two previous home games, Carlisle were on the receiving end and glad to scramble away a cross by Tyrone Marsh which almost provided the opportunity for a second goal for Wilson.
Macclesfield goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara produced a series of outstanding saves as Carlisle began exerting strong pressure.
O'Hara denied Jamie Devitt twice and pulled off a timely full-length diving stop to keep out a Gary Liddle header.
However, there was nothing O'Hara could do about Hope's shot, cutting in from the left after exchanging passes with Devitt, that brought Carlisle level in the 44th minute.
Town continued to defy their lowly league position with Marsh firing a good chance over and Koby Arthur testing Collin from just inside the area.
But it was Carlisle who snatched an 89th-minute winner when Yates just managed to touch home a Danny Grainger cross from the left.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Carlisle
Formation 4-3-3
- 30Collin
- 4Liddle
- 5GerrardBooked at 14mins
- 6Parkes
- 3Grainger
- 18Sowerby
- 10DevittBooked at 40minsSubstituted forCampbellat 77'minutes
- 21Etuhu
- 23NadesanSubstituted forSlaterat 90'minutes
- 17YatesBooked at 51minsSubstituted forBennettat 90+4'minutes
- 9Hope
Substitutes
- 2Miller
- 12Gillesphey
- 14Bennett
- 15Slater
- 16Campbell
- 27McCarron
- 29Gray
Macclesfield
Formation 4-4-2
- 1O'Hara
- 19Pearson
- 5Kelleher
- 27CameronBooked at 51mins
- 3Fitzpatrick
- 24Rose
- 8Marsh
- 18Maycock
- 11LloydSubstituted forWelch-Hayesat 66'minutes
- 9Wilson
- 22Arthur
Substitutes
- 2Hodgkiss
- 4Lowe
- 6Grimes
- 14Welch-Hayes
- 20Vincenti
- 28Idem
- Referee:
- Ross Joyce
- Attendance:
- 4,884
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away7
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Carlisle United 2, Macclesfield Town 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Richard Bennett (Carlisle United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Richard Bennett replaces Jerry Yates.
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Anthony Gerrard (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Tyrone Marsh (Macclesfield Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Regan Slater replaces Ashley Nadesan.
Goal!
Goal! Carlisle United 2, Macclesfield Town 1. Jerry Yates (Carlisle United) right footed shot from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Danny Grainger with a cross.
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Corner, Macclesfield Town. Conceded by Danny Grainger.
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Jerry Yates (Carlisle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by David Fitzpatrick (Macclesfield Town).
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Corner, Macclesfield Town. Conceded by Tom Parkes.
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Attempt saved. Scott Wilson (Macclesfield Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Carlisle United. Adam Campbell replaces Jamie Devitt.
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Gary Liddle (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Tyrone Marsh (Macclesfield Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Macclesfield Town. Miles Welch-Hayes replaces Ryan Lloyd.
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Attempt missed. Hallam Hope (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
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Attempt blocked. Jamie Devitt (Carlisle United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Jack Sowerby (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.